Seeking their first-ever victory at Audi Field, Toronto will end their two-game MLS road trip with a visit to the US capital to face DC United on Saturday.
The Black and Red failed to recover from an early deficit against CF Montreal on Wednesday, losing 4-2, while Toronto managed to grind out a 0-0 draw with the Philadelphia Union.
Match preview
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A strong start to the month of May for DC United ended in disappointment, losing three of their final four matches in this competition after claiming points in back-to-back contests before that.
Wednesday was the second time in May that Troy Lesesne‘s men had conceded four goals in a single MLS encounter this season and the ninth time that they had given up multiple strikes in league play.
Defensive issues have plagued this side throughout the 2024 domestic campaign, with the Black and Red conceding the second-most goals in the Eastern Conference (29).
With just one point in their last four league fixtures, DC are on the outside of the playoff picture, a point behind Nashville SC for the final spot in the Eastern Conference.
Meanwhile, three of their four MLS victories this year took place at Audi Field, though they are in danger of losing consecutive contests in the US capital this weekend for the first time since April 2023 (two).
They have come back to win two matches domestically this year when conceding the opening goal, but DC have also lost twice when drawing first blood.
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Earlier this week, we saw a different side to Toronto that we had not seen in months, as they were able to keep the opposition at bay with some resolute defending.
John Herdman‘s men conceded just one effort on target versus Philly, collecting their sixth shutout of the domestic campaign, three of which have come away from home.
The Reds have collected eight points in their eight MLS away matches this season, which is twice as many as they managed in this competition a year ago.
TFC are a perfect 4-0 in the regular season when leading after 45 minutes, though they have only scored one opening-half goal away from home in MLS this year (2-1 defeat at New York City FC).
If they fail to find the back of the net on Saturday, it would mark the first time all season that they have gone goalless in successive domestic encounters.
Not since the 2016 campaign have we seen Toronto come away with all three points against DC away from home, winning on that occasion 1-0 when the Black and Red played their home games at RFK Stadium.
DC United Major League Soccer form:
Toronto Major League Soccer form:
Toronto form (all competitions):
Team News
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The Black and Red will be without Matti Peltola and Cristian Dajome this weekend, as they are both suspended, while Pedro Santos is questionable because of a sore hip and Martin Rodriguez still has to clear concussion protocol.
Conner Antley will likely be out for the remainder of the season with a torn ACL, while Russell Canouse may still be recovering from a health issue.
A brace by Christian Benteke was all the offence DC could muster on Wednesday, as the Belgian now has 13 goals this season, putting him in a tie with Chicho Arango in the MLS Golden Boot race.
Prince Owusu missed the previous Toronto fixture due to tightness in his calf, Shane O’Neill is still dealing with a quad issue, while Lorenzo Insigne sat out on Wednesday with a knock.
Richie Laryea did not play in midweek but was on the bench for the first time since sustaining a hamstring injury, and Brandon Servania is out after rupturing his ACL.
Sean Johnson stopped the only shot that he faced on Wednesday, collecting his first clean sheet away from home since March (1-0 win over the New England Revolution).
DC United possible starting lineup:
Bono; Herrera, Tubbs, Bartlett, Jeahze; Hopkins; Stroud, Klich, Pirani; Ku-DiPietro, Benteke
Toronto possible starting lineup:
Johnson; Rosted, Long, Gomis; Laryea, Longstaff, Coello, Marshall-Rutty; Osorio, Etienne; Bernardeschi
We say: DC United 2-3 Toronto
Neither side are particularly strong defensively, but Toronto have shown they have more attacking depth than many had thought, whereas the Black and Red seem to rely heavily on Benteke.
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