Toronto and the New England Revolution will both endeavour to claim their third MLS victories on the bounce in Wednesday's showdown at BMO Field.
Bob Bradley's men ran out 3-1 winners over the Portland Timbers last time out, while their visitors recorded another shut-out in a 1-0 success over DC United.
Match preview
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The star-studded frontline of Toronto certainly came good for Bradley and co during the visit of the Timbers, as the Reds sought to close the gap on the playoff pack with a 3-1 success in front of their own fans.
Azzurri duo Federico Bernadeschi and Lorenzo Insigne were both on target in the match - the former happily accepting a booking for a shirt-stripping celebration - while Jonathan Osorio kicked off the goal rush with a 41st-minute opener.
Jose van Rankin had levelled proceedings for the Timbers, but it was a fruitless endeavour as the influential Italians steered Toronto to their second victory on the bounce following an equally prolific 4-3 success over Nashville SC.
Seeking to put their early summer sticky patch behind them, Bradley's side have now taken 10 points from the last 12 on offer in MLS but are still sitting near the foot of the Eastern Conference table - currently in 12th and four points adrift of a playoff place.
Such a gap is by no means insurmountable, and having scored a total of nine goals in their last three domestic encounters at BMO Field, the steadfast New England defence will be tested to the extreme in midweek.
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While Toronto have prided themselves on their prolific nature over the past few gameweeks, the New England Revolution are as resilient as ever on the defensive front and demonstrated their rearguard capabilities in a 1-0 success over DC United.
Wayne Rooney's basement side made a game of it at the Gillette Stadium, but none of their 13 shots found the back of the net, and an 18th-minute winner from Carles Gil was all that it took for Bruce Arena's side to put another three points on the board.
The 2021 Supporters' Shield winners have now gone four games in a row without conceding but are still outsiders when it comes to clinching a playoff place, currently sitting eighth in the Eastern Conference, with Inter Miami only ahead of them on wins.
Picking up just a fourth win from 12 MLS games was just what the doctor ordered for the Revs before they meet a potent Toronto side, and victories over their Canadian counterparts have been rather difficult to come by in recent times.
Indeed, New England have posted just one win from their last eight competitive fixtures against the Reds - which did come as recently as August 2021 - and the two sides played out a drab goalless stalemate at the end of July.
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Team News
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Toronto's goal-getting midfielder Osorio picked up his fifth booking of the MLS season on Saturday, but the Good Behaviour Incentive means that the 30-year-old will not serve a suspension after going more than five games before being cautioned again.
Bradley is still without the services of Quentin Westberg and Noble Okello due to lower-body injuries, while Mark-Anthony Kaye's issue of a similar nature may not let up in time for Wednesday either.
The hosting manager has no real reason to alter a winning formula, but Ayo Akinola continues to push for the striker's spot over Jesus Jimenez, who has now gone eight games without finding the back of the net.
As for the Revs, defender Jon Bell was fit enough to make the bench in the win over DC United, but Jacob Jackson, Gustavo Bou, Ismael Tajouri Maciel and Dylan Borrero were all absent.
Andrew Farrell managed to avoid a booking which would have seen him take his place on the naughty step for this game, and Arena would ideally hope to stick with a winning formula as well.
Should tired legs come into play, Christian Makoun and Noel Buck are among those waiting in the wings, as Justin Rennicks once again spearheads a depleted Revs attack.
Toronto possible starting lineup:
Bono; Laryea, MacNaughton, Mavinga-Adebayor, Criscito; Osorio, Bradley, Nelson; Bernardeschi, Jimenez, Insigne
New England Revolution possible starting lineup:
Petrovic; Bye, Kessler, Farrell, Jones; Rivera, Kaptoum, McNamara; Gil, Boateng; Rennicks
We say: Toronto 1-0 New England Revolution
If ever there was a team well-equipped to quell a rampant Toronto attack, it would be the Revs, but Arena's injury woes in the final third could cost his side dear this week.
Toronto cannot expect to breach their visitors at will, but the only way is up for Bradley's side at the moment, and they should have what it takes to edge past their dogged opponents with a clean sheet in tow.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Ben Knapton
