Toronto FC vs. Orlando City FC – Game Preview
August 22, 2015
BMO Field, Toronto, 4:00 p.m. ET
Toronto FC are hosting tomorrow MLS expansion team Orlando City FC. Similar to many other matches in this 25th week of Major League Soccer’s 2015 season, both sides have a lot at stake, and are trying to secure a place in the playoffs.
Toronto is ranked 5th in the Major League Soccer Eastern Conference, with 31 points (9-10-4); and Orlando is ranked 8th (7-11-7), tied at 28 points with NYCFC and Montreal Impact for the last playoff position.
Hosts Toronto lost their last two games, 3-1 to Sporting KC and 3-0 to New York Red Bulls. Visitors Orlando are having a 3-game winless streak, and have lost 4-0 to Seattle Sounders last Sunday. So both teams are coming bruised.
The teams will meet for the third time this MLS 2015 season, with the last meeting also at Toronto’s BMO Field at August 5th, ending in a 4-1 win for the hosts over the Orlando visitors. The first meeting between the two sides was held at April 26th at Orlando’s Citrus Bowl also resulting in Toronto’s win, of 2-0 this time.
The lethal “Atomic Ant”, Toronto’s Sebastian Giovinco is currently the second goal scorer in the MLS 2015 season. With 16 goals, he is trailing behind Columbus Crew’s Kei Kamara who scored 18. Giovinco is anxious to break that record, he is backed by Jozy Altidore and Michael Bradley in midfield. This supporting infrastructure, combined Giovinco’s fast and explosive attacks are likely to cause Orlando’s defense problems.
Still, Toronto will be facing one of the world’s best playmakers of all times, Brazilian soccer legend Kaka, who scored 9 goals with Orlando to date, and Cyle Larin in the front, with respectable 11 goals of his own this season.
Although Toronto FC is considered the favourite in this match, it does not appear to be an easy night for the hosts, who will have to work hard in fending off very hungry and motivated visitors.
