WATCH: Here's what happened the last time Crew SC hosted Toronto FC.
Toronto FC Quick Facts:
Regular Season Record: 8-7-3
Points: 27
Goal Differential: 0
Eastern Conference Rank: 4th
Total Shots: 245 (10th in MLS)
Last Five Matches: 2-1-2
Away Record: 4-5-2
Columbus Crew SC (8-7-6) will square off against Toronto FC (8-7-3) at MAPFRE Stadium on Saturday as both teams look to continue their hunt toward the top of the Eastern Conference table.
After a slow start to the 2015 season, Toronto has earned its way back up the charts, sitting in fourth place with 27 points through 18 games played. The only team to have played fewer matches in the Eastern Conference is Montreal with 17.
Crew SC last met Toronto on March 14 in Columbus for the club’s home opener, defeating a 10-man Toronto squad 2-0. TFC defender Justin Morrow earned a red card in the 45th minute for a hard tackle, denying Crew SC midfielder Ethan Finlay a goal-scoring opportunity.
This weekend’s clash comes at an offensive high-point for both clubs, as the matchup features the League’s top two goal scorers in Crew SC’s Kei Kamara (14) and Toronto FC’s Sebastian Giovinco (12).
Toronto FC packs a one-two punch offensively, with forward Jozy Altidore able to feed off the speed and creativity of Italian international Giovinco, who has become one of the League’s most dangerous strikers. With enough pace to create space on and off the dribble, Giovinco proves to be just as much a threat as an assist giver.
Known as the “Atomic Ant,” Giovinco has proven to be nothing short of brilliant in the final third, and with 44 shots on goal, the most of any MLS player, the Designated Player highlights a resurgent Toronto FC offense that has made significant strides since March 14.
With Altidore and Giovinco capable of taking defenders one-on-one, Toronto’s playing style is predicated on attacking through the middle. The Reds use individual skill in the midfield and offensive thirds to create chances – most notably long-shot opportunities, as TFC ranks second League-wide in goals from outside the 18-yard-box (5).
Look for a back-and-forth match come Saturday as Toronto favors playing directly, often attempting through balls to the dangerous frontline. Toronto ranks fourth in passing accuracy in the final third, connecting successfully on 65.41 percent of their passes up top.
Defensively, Toronto is fourth in goals conceded, having allowed 28 to touch the back of the net. Nine of those have come in its last three matches, including consecutive games conceding four goals against the LA Galaxy and New York City FC.
Toronto is performing well offensively as of late. In its last two matches alone, the Canadian club has accounted for six goals. Giovinco has been involved in all of them, scoring four himself while providing the final pass on two.
Saturday’s match will feature a Toronto FC squad that leads the League in away wins with four. As both teams look to distance themselves from the pack in the East, expect an entertaining matchup at MAPFRE Stadium.
