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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 Miami1594236201631
2FC CincinnatiCincinnati149321911830
3New York Red BullsNY Red Bulls146532521423
4New York City FCNY City147251816223
5Toronto147162120122
6Columbus Crew135621913621
7Charlotte FCCharlotte FC146351413121
8Philadelphia UnionPhiladelphia134542521417
9DC United144552024-417
10Orlando City134451520-516
11Nashville SCNashville133641720-315
12Atlanta UnitedAtlanta133461716113
13CF MontrealMontreal133371731-1412
14Chicago Fire142481326-1310
15New England RevolutionNew England12219925-167

Western Conference

TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Real Salt LakeSalt Lake1484227141328
2Minnesota UnitedMinnesota Utd127322114724
3Los Angeles GalaxyLA Galaxy145722521422
4Austin FCAustin146441917222
5Los Angeles FCLos Angeles136342419521
6Colorado RapidsColorado146352423121
7Vancouver WhitecapsVancouver135441915419
8Houston DynamoHouston135351213-118
9St Louis City133731920-116
10Seattle SoundersSeattle143561617-114
11Portland TimbersPortland143472629-313
12Dallas123361317-412
13Sporting Kansas CityKansas132562124-311
14San Jose EarthquakesEarthquakes1431102233-1110


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