Toronto FC vs. Minnesota United FC
2017 MLS Regular Season
BMO Field - Toronto
Saturday, May 13 - 3 pm ET
WATCH: CTV in Canada, MLS LIVE in US
As they fire on all cylinders as they try for an MLS Cup re-do, there's just no stopping Toronto FC, who currently boast 22 points after beating Columbus2-1 in Ohio on Wednesday night. Tosaint Ricketts netted a brace during that comeback win -- proving that the Reds are still plenty terrifying to foes, even with Sebastian Giovinco temporarily sidelined due to injury.
Here's the thing, though: Minnesota United boast some solid talent, too. Remember hotly tipped SuperDraft pick Abu Danladi? He just opened his own MLS account. That's to say nothing of the one-two punch of Miguel Ibarra and Christian Ramirez. Add all that up, and yes, we've got to echo the Loons themselves when they say it's "time to start taking [them] seriously."
They just toppled Sporting Kansas City at home, and, with no mid-week matches, will arrive at BMO Field in Toronto with fresher legs than the home side. No one would have said this during the painful, loss-filled beginning stretch of Minnesota's MLS era, but it could possibly be anyone's game.
Toronto FC
The key to Toronto's success so far isn't just the flashy goal-scoring -- it's roster depth, too. They've gotten solid performances from some of their more lightly-used players in the past week, with Ricketts stepping up on Wednesday and several regular reserves putting in admirable shifts in their 1-0 win at Seattle last weekend. Overall, they might currently be the deepest team in MLS.
And did we mention TFC are currently riding a five-game winning streak, the first five-game run since 2015? This squad is shaping up to be pretty special, and, according to our own Armchair Analyst Matt Doyle, could go down as one of MLS' legendary teams.
- Suspended: None
- Int'l duty: None
- Injury report: OUT: D - Drew Moor (cardiac arrhythmia), D - Ashtone Morgan (stress fracture in foot); QUESTIONABLE: F - Sebastian Giovinco (heel injury)
Probable Starting XI (3-5-2): Alex Bono -- Eriq Zavaleta, Nick Hagglund, Justin Morrow -- Steven Beitashour, Michael Bradley, Victor Vazquez, Marky Delgado, Raheem Edwards -- Sebastian Giovinco, Jozy Altidore
Notes: Toronto's current five-game winning streak is the first time the club has ever won five-straight in MLS play.
Minnesota United FC
Loons, you've come a long way, baby. From early-season punchline to springtime threat, their 2-0 win against Sporting Kansas City made a serious statement -- these were the Western Conference leaders, after all. "I think we showed a few people that we are getting better,” head coach Adrian Heath told MLSsoccer.com that night. “You have to take us seriously. If you don’t, we have too much talent not to hurt you.”
That's not to say all is perfect with Minnesota though. Right before the SKC win, they let a match against San Jose slip past them, losing 1-0 at home on April 29. But the MLS season is a marathon, not a sprint, and the upward trajectory is clearly happening.
- Suspended: None
- Int'l Duty: None
- Injuries: OUT – M - Bernardo Anor (left lower leg injury), D - Thomas De Villardi (left achilles)
Projected Starting XI (4-2-3-1): Bobby Shuttleworth -- Jerome Thiesson, Brent Kallman, Francisco Calvo, Marc Burch -- Sam Cronin, Ibson -- Kevin Molino, Abu Danladi, Miguel Ibarra -- Christian Ramirez
Notes: After conceding 24 goals in their first seven games, Minnesota have only conceded one in their last three.
All-Time Series
This will be the first regular-season meeting between the two teams.
Officials
- Referee: Allen Chapman
- Assistant Referees: Adam Wienckowski, Jeremy Hanson
- Fourth official: Dave Gantar
