MLS LIVE Game of the Week: Toronto FC's Trillium Cup challenge vs Crew SC

Ben Couch

Heineken Rivalry Week has arrived, and the MLS LIVE Game of the Week is Saturday's Trillium Cup contest between Columbus Crew SC and Toronto FC.

The 5 p.m. ET match at BMO Field, Toronto's fourth of four straight home games following eight on the road, will be available on MLS LIVE everywhere in the US and Canada.

Here are the top five reasons to watch:

SEBA, SCORING:
Sure, he's
back atop the Golden Boot
race after last week's brace, but it's not only the individual goals that capture
Sebastian Giovinco
's strong play:

Giovinco is the 1st player in MLS history to be involved in 13 consecutive goals for his team. 12 was the previous record (h/t @EliasSports)
— Ben Baer (@BenBaer89) May 16, 2016

In case it's not evident, that's EVERY TFC GOAL THIS SEASON. Safe to say Seba stays in the mix.

CAN THE REDS REBOUND? Last week's loss to Vancouver marked the first time this season Toronto allowed more than two goals in a game – a major turnaround from last year, when the Reds tied bottom-feeders Chicago and NYCFC for a league-worst 58 goals allowed. TFC seemed pretty peeved following the loss, and if this revamped defense is truly changed, there won't be any backsliding this week – either on Wednesday against surging NYC or Saturday against Columbus.

(ANOTHER) NEW CREW SC: So, uh, you might have heard some things about Kei Kamara last week. Now that he's an erstwhile Columbus striker – and Crew SC brought back only roster tools – all eyes are on Ola Kamara to step up, though the early reviews have been … muted.

A FALSE NINE: The defending Eastern Conference Champions struggled out of the gate, sitting ninth in the East with 10 points after 10 games (2-4-4). Yet, with a game in hand on conference co-leaders Montreal and New York City FC, Crew SC are only six points from first, and a full result from leaping over the red line. Also, they just drew surprise Supporters' Shield leader Colorado during a tough week. So there's that.

HOPE AT HOME: Though Crew SC have gone winless for three straight (0-1-2), Columbus are currently unbeaten in their last four games at MAPFRE Stadium (2-0-2). With a return on tap for Week 12, the road points against Toronto become ever more crucial.

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Ben Couch -

@viewfromcouch

Columbus Crew Toronto FC