Sports Mole previews Wednesday’s Major League Soccer clash between Toronto and Columbus Crew, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.
Toronto can take another step towards a place in the MLS Cup playoffs if they defeat the reigning champions, the Columbus Crewon Wednesday to BMO Field.
Thanks to a 2-1 win over Austin FC last weekend, the Reds are five points above the Eastern Conference playoff line in eighth place, while the Crew are third after a 0-0 draw with FC Cincinnati.
Game Preview
© Imago
Many have wondered when Toronto’s season will end this year, but to their credit, the Canadiens always find a way to stay above the postseason barrier.
With five games to go, they are in a difficult position: they are only two points behind Charlotte FC, which guarantees them a place in the top seven and an automatic first round of the postseason. However, the three teams below the play-off line (Atlanta United, Philadelphia Union and CF Montreal) each have one game less on their record.
Every time it seems like things are getting out of hand, John HerdmanThe team seems to have found a way out of its crisis, winning four of its last six league games after previously losing six in a row.
Wednesday marks their second game in a three-game domestic home series, with the Reds seeking two consecutive MLS triumphs at BMO Field for only the second time this year.
A win in their remaining four home games would see them surpass their total of regular season wins at BMO Field from last year (seven), which would be their highest total since 2019 (nine).
TFC has suffered one loss in its last five domestic meetings against the Toronto Crew, losing 2-1 in the 2022 season.
© Imago
A slow start to September has significantly reduced Columbus’ chances of winning the Supporters’ Shield for the fourth time in club history; the team is currently winless in two games in a row.
Wilfried NancyThe Miami team has failed to score in two consecutive league games and is 12 points behind Inter Miami in the first place in the standings with just seven games left.
Although Columbus only earned one point in the “Hell is Real” derby against Cincinnati last weekend, it was enough to officially secure a spot in the MLS Cup playoffs for the second consecutive year for the first time since 2017 and 2018.
Their seven away wins in MLS this year are the most for the club in a single 34-game domestic season and three more than the previous season.
If they win at least three of their final seven league games, the Crew would set a new franchise record for most points in a season, surpassing the mark of 57 set in 2008 and 2023.
Columbus has won its last two MLS games against Toronto and is undefeated in its last two visits to BMO Field.
Toronto Major League Soccer form:
Toronto form (all competitions):
Columbus Crew Major League Soccer form:
Columbus Crew Form (all competitions):
Team News
© Imago
On Saturday, Derrick Etienne was an unused substitute for Toronto after suffering a minor injury while Alonso Coello returned to the field for the first time since his thigh injury weeks ago and played for almost an hour before being Kosi Thompson.
Shane O’Neill came late in the first half for Henry Wingo and received a yellow card 20 minutes before the end and is therefore suspended for this game.
Jonathan Osorio returned from international duty and scored the first goal in the seventh minute of the game against Austin. Deandre Kerr scored the winning goal after half an hour, his second in two consecutive games.
At the weekend, the crew again had to do without a substitute goalkeeper Evan Bushwho is still out due to an arm injury.
Abraham Romero is eligible to return after serving a red card suspension in a tie against state rival Cincinnati.
Patrick Schulte was back in the Crew’s goal last Saturday when he, Steven Moreira, Mohammed Farsi, Christian Ramirez And Cucho Hernandez were the newcomers in the starting eleven.
Possible Toronto starting lineup:
Johnson; Mabika, Gomis, Petretta; Bernardeschi, Coello, Longstaff, Laryea; Osorio, insignia; Kerr
Possible starting lineup of Columbus Crew:
Schulte; Moreira, Camacho, Amundsen; Farsi, Matan, Nagbe, Chambost; Ramirez, Rossi; Hernandez
We think: Toronto 1-4 Columbus Crew
As we saw on Saturday, the Crew are rarely contained, but after a rough outing or two, they always seem determined to come back, and we expect them to take out their frustration over scoring opportunities on Toronto’s porous defense.
Click here to see a data analysis of the most likely outcomes, scores and more for this match.
