Orlando Metropolis will hope to solidify a spot within the first spherical of the MLS Cup Playoffs in opposition to host Toronto FC within the last matchday of the common season this Saturday night time.
The Lions (14-8-11, 53 factors) surrendered a four-match unbeaten run final day trip in a 2-1 setback to the Vancouver Whitecaps. Thomas Muller blasted residence a long-range strike within the fixture’s dying seconds to throw a wrench into Orlando’s last stretch of the season.
“It felt like we have been defending for a really very long time,” Orlando defender Dagur Thorhallsson mentioned after that match. “That is one thing we have to have a look at. I do not know why we rating after which we simply drop down and defend for nearly the remainder of the sport.”
Although they’ve clinched a playoff spot, Orlando might have to safe their first league away win since July 25 to ensure themselves a spot above wild card place. A draw would virtually actually suffice ought to the Chicago Hearth fail to defeat the New England Revolution. A defeat would enable each the Hearth and the Columbus Crew to overhaul them.
They could take some solace in Toronto FC’s (5-14-14, 29 factors) even lengthier winless run at residence, which extends all the best way again to June 28. TFC are coming off a 2-0 defeat to Los Angeles FC, which snapped their league document streak of eight consecutive attracts. Second-worst in MLS in targets for, Toronto have failed to gather three factors in eleven straight matches.
“We’re nonetheless experimenting,” head coach Robin Fraser mentioned after that match. “We’re positively within the constructing section of this challenge and we have seen actually good progress all year long.”
Orlando will likely be replenished by a bunch of gamers getting back from worldwide responsibility, together with Marco Pasalic, David Brekalo and Alex Freeman. Defender Robin Jansson could also be unavailable after subbing off within the 18th minute final match with an undisclosed damage. He wasn’t current throughout media availability Thursday.
Joran Gerbet is a scratch after present process season-ending ACL surgical procedure. Cesar Araujo stays a query mark after lacking the Vancouver match. Toronto midfielder Alonso Coello will likely be suspended after a late sending off in opposition to LAFC.
–Discipline Stage Media
