Toronto have a chance to win three successive MLS fixtures for the first time since 2020 with a victory over Dallas on Saturday at BMO Field.
The Reds scored twice in the latter stages of their previous encounter versus Orlando City to claim a 2-1 victory, moving up to fourth in the Eastern Conference, while the Toros are 13th in the West despite a 2-0 triumph over the Houston Dynamo.
Match preview
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When all hope appeared lost, Toronto found a lifeline in the dying stages of their match last week, scoring twice in the final three minutes of the second half before injury time, producing their second away victory of 2024.
John Herdman has guided them to consecutive triumphs on two occasions this year, as many as this club had managed in their previous two domestic campaigns combined.
In his first full season as an MLS coach, Herdman has experienced his share of rough outings, but above all, he seems to have brought unity among the players, as they are buying into a new way of playing, which focuses on building from the back.
Toronto are riding a three-match winning run in all competitions after losing their previous three encounters in MLS, conceding just a single goal on their current run.
They have won four of their five competitive fixtures played at BMO Field this year while conceding in only one of their four MLS encounters played in Toronto (3-1 defeat versus Sporting Kansas City).
They have not earned three points versus the Toros since 2016 (1-0) and have only triumphed on two occasions against them at BMO Field, the previous time being in 2007.
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At last, Dallas were able to stop the bleeding last week, winning for just the second time all year and ending a seven-match winless run in the process.
That was their longest stretch without a domestic triumph since Nico Estevez took charge ahead of the 2022 season and also their longest run without a win since September-October 2021 (10).
A lack of upgrades along the back end has made it difficult for them to play the free-flowing style that Estevez would like to see, as their traditional 3-4-2-1 formation has struggled to create chances out wide.
The Toros have a mere eight points after nine MLS contests this season, their worst start to a domestic campaign since 2021 (seven).
Dallas have not won consecutive league fixtures since May 2023 (two), winning just one of their last seven regular season affairs away from home dating back to last year (4-1 win at the Los Angeles Galaxy).
They have claimed at least a point in their last four meetings with Toronto, including a 1-0 triumph in their previous visit to BMO Field in 2018.
Team News
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Lorenzo Insigne missed the previous Toronto clash with a hamstring strain, Richie Laryea remains sidelined after undergoing surgery on his hamstring and Deandre Kerr sat out a week ago due to a foot injury.
Jordan Perruzza was not on the team sheet against Orlando City due to an ankle issue, Shane O'Neill did not feature because of a quad strain and Brandon Servania is still dealing with a knee injury.
Federico Bernardeschi set up both Toronto goals a week ago, with the equaliser coming courtesy of Tyrese Spicer and Prince Owusu netting the winner in the 90th minute, his team-leading fifth of the season.
Dallas could be missing a long list of players, including Sebastian Lletget, who is doubtful with a knock, and Paxton Pomykal, who is out for the season after undergoing surgery on his left knee.
Tarik Scott is nearing a return from an ACL issue, Geovane Jesus is still recovering from that same problem and Alan Velasco is on the mend after previously tearing his ACL and MCL.
Petar Musa scored his team-leading third of the campaign last week, which held up as the winner, with the other strike coming courtesy of Sebastien Ibeagha, his first of 2024.
Toronto possible starting lineup:
Johnson; Rosted, Long, Gomis; Marshall-Rutty, Longstaff, Coello, Etienne; Bernardeschi, Osorio; Owusu
Dallas possible starting lineup:
Paes; Ibeagha, Tafari, Junqua; Twumasi, Fraser, Illarramendi, Kamungo; Arriola, Delgado; Musa
We say: Toronto 1-0 Dallas
Toronto have been a lot better in close games this season and are getting some great performances out of Sean Johnson in goal, so we expect them to shut down a side in Dallas that are struggling to unlock opposing defensive units.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Joel Lefevre
