TORONTO FC vs. REAL SALT LAKE
BMO Field | Toronto
August 3, 2016 | Week 22 | MLS Game #219
7 pm ET (TSN4, MLS LIVE)
Two teams riding the momentum of weekend victories clash as Toronto FC host Real Salt Lake inthis week's only midweek MLS match. The hosts sit third in the East, with two games in hand on both leaders New York City FC and the New York Red Bulls; three points would lift them into second place, three points off the pace and still with a game in hand. RSL can make an even bigger jump in the West, where they currently sit fifth on goal differential. Grabbing three points on the road would vault them into third place, just one point behind second-place Colorado – though the Rapids and the LA Galaxy (who now hold down the third spot) still have significant games in hand.
Toronto FC are coming off a 3-0 home victory on Sunday over a listless Columbus Crew SC side, as Sebastian Giovinco continued his recent resurgence after an 8-match goalless drought in league play. "The Atomic Ant" had one goal and two assists, giving him 12 tallies on the season, and might have added to that total but for twice catching the woodwork.
Saturday's victory also saw Jozy Altidore, working his way back from yet another hamstring injury, finally open his 2016 account for the Reds with a late insurance goal. Tsubasa Endoh opened the scoring for TFC.
Real Salt Lake took three road points from an Eastern Conference opponent on Sunday, coming back from a 1-0 halftime deficit to beat the Philadelphia Union 2-1. After Roland Alberg's penalty put the hosts up 1-0 just before the break, Joao Plata broke a two-month scoring drought with a pretty curler less than three minutes into the second half and Javier Morales floated home the match-winner in the 54th minute.
RSL's victory also saw Nick Rimando set a new MLS record with his 412th regular-season start in goal, and tie Kevin Hartman with his 180th career league victory.
This is the only regular-season meeting between the two sides this year. Last year in Sandy, Utah, with both sides depleted by international call-ups, Real took a 2-1 decision behind goals from Luke Mulholland and Jordan Allen – the latter in the match's dying moments after Jackson equalized late for TFC.
