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Toronto FC
Major League Soccer | Gameweek 36
Sep 30, 2021 at 12am UK
BMO Field
FC Cincinnati

Toronto
3 - 2
Cincinnati

Shaffelburg (48'), Delgado (55'), Achara (65')
Achara (59'), Soteldo (76'), Marshall-Rutty (90')
FT(HT: 0-1)
Matarrita (38'), Acosta (72')
Valot (32'), Castillo (41'), Vallecilla (59'), Stanko (74')

Preview: Toronto vs. FC Cincinnati - prediction, team news, lineups

Sports Mole previews Wednesday's Major League Soccer clash between Toronto and FC Cincinnati, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

The two bottom sides in the Major League Soccer Eastern Conference table will square off on Thursday, as Toronto welcome FC Cincinnati.

Just one point currently separates the two teams, with the hosts occupying the foot of the table having also played a game more.


Match preview

Toronto FC interim head coach Javier Perez looks on during the first half against New York City FC at BMO Field on August 7, 2021© Reuters

After reaching the playoffs last term, Toronto have had to endure a far more difficult MLS campaign this time around and currently prop up the Eastern Conference.

The Reds have won just four of their 26 games so far this season, seeing them sit on a disappointing tally of 19 points at this stage.

That has largely been down to their defensive struggles, with no other side in the MLS conceding as many as the 51 goals that they have shipped so far.

After recently posting a 2-1 win over Nashville SC, thanks to goals from Jacob Shaffelburg and Omar Gonzalez, and thrashing York United 4-0 in the Canadian Championship, Toronto stretched an unbeaten run to three games last time out.

Javi Perez's side travelled to Colorado Rapids on Sunday and earned a point in a goalless draw, and they will now look to return to winning ways and stretch the more positive run with a victory that would see them leapfrog the visitors.

FC Cincinnati celebrates a goal late in the first half against Orlando City SC at TQL Stadium on August 7, 2021© Reuters

Cincinnati have had a similarly difficult season in the MLS and sit just one point better off in 13th place in the Conference.

They head into Wednesday's game on the back of three straight league defeats, having firstly fallen to a 4-0 thrashing at the hands of Atlanta United before being beaten 2-1 by New York City FC.

The Orange and Blue were unable to reverse their fortunes last time out, as a Paul Arriola brace and goals from Steven Birnbaum and Nigel Robertha saw DC United take a 4-0 lead before Brandon Vazquez and Luciano Acosta found the net in vain for Cincinnati in the final 10 minutes.

Despite their poor run of form, the Ohio outfit will take confidence from their recent meeting with Toronto, as Brenner and Haris Medunjanin fired them to a 2-0 home win, seeing them leapfrog Wednesday's opponents.

Their places will be switched with a defeat though, and Cincinnati, now under the temporary charge of Tyrone Marshall following Jaap Stam's departure, will be desperate to bounce back to winning ways and climb away from the foot of the division.

Toronto Major League Soccer form:
  • L
  • L
  • L
  • L
  • W
  • D

Toronto form (all competitions):
  • L
  • L
  • L
  • W
  • W
  • D

FC Cincinnati Major League Soccer form:
  • L
  • L
  • W
  • L
  • L
  • L



Team News

Toronto FC midfielder Alejandro Pozuelo (10) celebrates with midfielder Yeferson Soteldo (30) after scoring a goal against New York City FC during the second half at BMO Field on August 7, 2021© Reuters

Toronto remain without a long list of players through injury, as forwards Jozy Altidore and Ayo Akinola, midfielders Tsubasa Endoh, Ralph Priso-Mbongue and Alejandro Pozuelo and defender Nick DeLeon are all sidelined.

The attacking absences should see Yeferson Soteldo and Patrick Mullins continue to lead the line, with wing-backs Jonathan Osorio and Auro offering attacking support.

They will be boosted by the return of veteran midfielder Michael Bradley, who served a one-game suspension last time out.

While Cincinnati have fewer selection concerns, Maikel van der Werff and Joseph-Claude Gyau will remain out of action, although Kenneth Vermeer was fit enough to make the bench last time out.

Alvaro Barreal and Isaac Atanga will both return to the squad after suspensions, as they were both sent off in the defeat to New York City FC.

Brandon Vazquez will be pushing for a starting spot after scoring off the bench last time out, but he would likely have to displace Brenner, who has netted seven MLS goals so far this campaign.

Toronto possible starting lineup:
Bono; Zavaleta, Mavinga, Lawrence; Auro, Laryea, Bradley, Delgado, Osorio; Mullins, Soteldo

FC Cincinnati possible starting lineup:
Tyton; Hagglund, Cameron, Vallecilla; Bailey, Stanko, Kubo, Matarrita; Acosta, Brenner, Cruz


SM words green background

We say: Toronto 1-1 FC Cincinnati

While Cincinnati got the better of Toronto in the last meeting, and the hosts' squad has been hit by injuries, they come into the game in better form, and we see that levelling the playing field.

The Reds will be desperate to continue their improvement and should have enough to avoid another defeat to the fellow strugglers.



Top tip

Our expert tipster partners at Sporita.com are predicting over 1.5 goals in this match. Click here to find out what else they are predicting for this game and for more of their tried-and-tested football tips.Over 1.5:data



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Data Analysis

Our analysis of all available data, including recent performances and player stats up until an hour before kickoff, suggested the most likely outcome of this match was a Toronto win with a probability of 59.92%. A draw had a probability of 21.4% and a win for FC Cincinnati had a probability of 18.66%.

The most likely scoreline for a Toronto win was 1-0 with a probability of 10.03%. The next most likely scorelines for that outcome were 2-1 (9.96%) and 2-0 (9.91%). The likeliest drawn scoreline was 1-1 (10.08%), while for a FC Cincinnati win it was 0-1 (5.11%). The actual scoreline of 3-2 was predicted with a 3.3% likelihood. Our data analysis correctly predicted that Toronto would win this match.


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Game History

How you voted: Toronto vs Cincinnati

Toronto
37.5%
Draw
50.0%
FC Cincinnati
12.5%
16
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New York City FC forward Valentin Castellanos (11) celebrates a goal by forward Santiago Rodriguez (not pictured) against Toronto FC with defender Malte Amundsen (12) and forward Thiago (8) during the first half at BMO Field on August 7, 2021
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Eastern Conference

TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Inter MiamiInter Miami34228479493074
2Columbus Crew34199672403266
3FC CincinnatiCincinnati341851158481059
4Orlando City34157125950952
5Charlotte FCCharlotte FC34149114637951
6New York City FCNY City34148125449550
7New York Red BullsNY Red Bulls34111495550547
8CF MontrealMontreal341110134864-1643
9Atlanta UnitedAtlanta341010144649-340
10DC United341010145270-1840
11Philadelphia UnionPhiladelphia34910156255737
12Toronto34114194061-2137
13Nashville SCNashville3499163854-1636
14New England RevolutionNew England3494213774-3731
15Chicago Fire3479184062-2230

Western Conference

TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Los Angeles FCLos Angeles34197863432064
2Los Angeles GalaxyLA Galaxy34197869501964
3Real Salt LakeSalt Lake341611765481759
4Seattle SoundersSeattle34169951351657
5Houston DynamoHouston34159104739854
6Minnesota UnitedMinnesota Utd34157125849952
7Colorado RapidsColorado34155146160150
8Portland TimbersPortland341211116556947
9Vancouver WhitecapsVancouver34138135249347
10Austin FCAustin34119143948-942
11Dallas34118155456-241
12St Louis City34813135063-1337
13Sporting Kansas CityKansas3487195166-1531
14San Jose EarthquakesEarthquakes3463254178-3721


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