Preview:Toronto vs Columbus Crew - prediction, team news, lineups

Toronto can end a three-match MLS winless run on Saturday when they welcome the Columbus Crew to BMO Field for a matinee affair.

An injury-time equaliser last weekend enabled the Reds to claim a 1-1 draw against the Philadelphia Union, while Columbus saw their reign as Leagues Cup champions end despite a 1-0 win over Club Leon in their previous game.

Match preview

They failed to generate much, but Toronto did enough to end their two-match domestic losing run last Saturday, claiming a point versus the Supporters’ Shield leaders.

Since the start of July, Robin Fraser’s men have scored a goal or fewer in each of their matches, only one of which was in the opening 45 minutes of play.

With a win this weekend, Toronto would equal their number of away victories in this competition from 2024 (four), claiming just one point in their previous three league contests as the visitors.

All three of their road victories this season occurred when the Reds found themselves in front after 45 minutes, as they boast a 100% away record in that position this year.

Their last two regular-season triumphs have been against teams currently in a post-season spot, with their previous away win coming at the current Western Conference leaders, San Diego (1-0).

TFC have yet to win a single outing in the competition this year when conceding the opening goal, collecting just three points in that position all season.

Although they failed to make the quarter-finals of the Leagues Cup, Wilfried Nancy saw plenty of positivity from the Crew during the group phase of that tournament.

The Crew went unbeaten in those three matches and on Saturday they will try to avoid suffering consecutive defeats in this competition for the first time all season.

Only one of their last seven away matches in MLS ended with Columbus claiming maximum points, when they defeated FC Cincinnati in the Hell is Real Derby last month (4-2).

With nine regular-season contests to go, they are below Orlando City for fourth in the Eastern Conference on goal difference and just three points behind Nashville SC for third, with a game in hand on both teams.

Four of their positive results away from home in MLS this year occurred when they had given up the opening goal, collecting a combined eight points thanks to that resiliency.

Columbus have won their last three matches played against Toronto without a single goal scored in each of those instances, including a 2-0 win in their previous visit to BMO Field a year ago.

Toronto Major League Soccer form:

Columbus Crew Major League Soccer form:

Columbus Crew form (all competitions):

Team News

Lower body issues kept Henry Wingo, Zane Monlouis and Nicksoen Gomis out of the Toronto fold versus the Union, while Sean Johnson was sidelined with a head injury.

Djordje Mihailovic made his Reds debut the last time out, though it was Deandre Kerr, who was the hero, netting his third of the season in stoppage time.

A contracture problem could keep Nicholas Hagen out of the Crew lineup this weekend, and Rudy Camacho remains a doubt as he is dealing with a hamstring strain.

Diego Rossi converted a 66th-minute penalty against Orlando City in their previous league fixture, while Max Arfsten had the only goal in their triumph over Club Leon.

Toronto possible starting lineup:

Gavran; Laryea, Long, Rosted, Petretta; Coello, Osorio; Corbeanu, Dominguez, Mihailovic; Brynhildsen

Columbus Crew possible starting lineup:

Schulte; Moreira, Zawadzki, Cheberko, Arfsten; Aliyu, Chambost, Nagbe, Gazdag; Rossi, Russell-Rowe

We say: Toronto 0-1 Columbus Crew

Over 10 days will have passed by the time the Crew take the field Saturday, and that rest should do them some good against a side that have lacked creativity throughout the campaign.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.