Toronto FC will travel to Lower.com Field this Saturday for a clash with Columbus Crew in the third round of the MLS 2022 Eastern Conference competition. Kickoffs at 21:30 EAT.
Columbus is in third place with four points from their first two matches. The Crew started this season with a bang and they have already scored seven goals just after playing two matches. However, Columbus had played moderately well in their matches last season. They could secure a win-streak only at the last moment, moving the team to the 9th place finish at end of the season.
Caleb Porter’s men get into this encounter after they shared spoils 3-3 in their last MLS action with San Jose Earthquakes. In that game, Columbus Crew had 54% possession, 19 shots with seven of them on target and goals scored by Zelarayán (40′, 73′) and Zardes (68′). San Jose Earthquakes got seven shots with four of them on target and goals by Espinoza (9′) and Calvo (84′, 96′).
Meanwhile, Toronto FC had a rough start this season currently in the 10th place with just one point. The team has continued their cold streak from the last season with a win and draw in their recent matches. Currently, the team is winless in their last eight matches. They finished in the thirteenth position in Eastern Conference last season.
In their previous match Toronto FC suffered 1-4 MLS defeat at the hands of New York Red Bulls. In that match, Toronto FC managed 67% possession, six shots with four of them on target and a goal scored by Jiménez (35′). New York Red Bulls got 13 shots with nine of them on target and goals by Morgan (17′, 24′, 40′) and Long (42′).
Columbus Crew vs Toronto FC head to head
These two sides have 41 meetings against each other since 2007. Out of the 41 the crew has 16 wins, draws have been recorded 13 times and Toronto claims 12 wins.
- Columbus 2-1 Toronto 29/05/21
- Toronto 2-0 Columbus 13/05/21
- Toronto 3-1 Columbus 28/09/20
- Toronto 1-0 Columbus 06/10/19
- Columbus 2-2 Toronto 18/08/19
Home
- San Jose 3-3 Columbus
- Columbus 4-0 Vancouver
- Charleston 0-3 Columbus
- Columbus 0-0 Charlotte
- Miami 1-1 Columbus
Away
- Toronto 1-4 New York
- Dallas 1-1 Toronto
- Kansas City 1-1 Toronto
- Houston 2-1 Toronto
- Chicago 0-1 Toronto
Columbus Crew team news
The hosts will have to do without striker Kevin Molino is out with a right knee injury, Jake Morris remains sidelined with a right foot problem and Josh Williams continues to nurse a left thigh issue.
Toronto FC team news
Ayo Akinola is the only injury concern for the visitors with a Ruptured ligament.
Prediction and odds
The Crew seems to have rediscovered their confidence in front of goal, while Toronto is still learning how to remain consistent at the back, and we expect the Columbus crew to grab all the three points.
- Columbus Crew win
- Goals over 2.5
- Both teams to score
