Venue:
BMO Field
Time:
7:30 PM, 4/15
Watch on:
MLS Season Pass on Apple TV
Atlanta United Preview:
Coming off of a draw at Yankee Stadium that felt like a loss, Atlanta will travel north of the border and face a depleted Toronto FC side. The Five Stripes have found themselves being able to grind out results, but have lost their only game without Thiago Almada, who is listed as questionable, have relied heavily on Brad Guzan, who is out with an MCL injury, and have been held down in the middle by an in form Franco Ibarra, who is out on red card suspension. Ozzie Alonso is also still injured, leaving Santiago Sosa as the lone true No. 6 available. Andrew Gutman was not listed as out or questionable, however, though he may not start.
Predicted XI:
Toronto FC Preview
Recent Transfers
Toronto made some strong reinforcement moves in the offseason. For one, they brought in Sean Johnson, who’s been one of the best goalkeepers in MLS in recent years to fill in one of their most needed spots. They also added Italian left back Rauol Petretta from Turkish club Kasimpasa. Further, added Norwegian center back Sigurd Rosted. The 28 year old has spent time in Norway, Denmark and Belgium and has made five caps with the Norwegian national team. On top of this, they signed former LAFC striker Adama Diomande. Diomande, also a former Norwegian international, has 72 g/a in a little over 9,100 career minutes in Norway, China, MLS, the Championship and a little bit of time in the EPL, including 20 goals and 9 assists in 2,701 minutes at LAFC, though he will be out on Saturday with an injury. They also brought in center back Matt Hedges from FC Dallas, a veteran who’s been one of the best center backs in MLS. In addition to Hedges, they signed Brandon Servania from FCD, a 23 year old center mid who was seemingly meant
Availability
Lorenzo Insigne will be in the matchday squad, per Bob Bradley, after being injured, but striker Adama Diomande, midfielder Victor Vazsquez and center back Matt Hedges will be out on Saturday.
Players to Watch
Sean Johnson
Johnson has been one of the very best goalkeepers in MLS and is easily one to keep an eye on. He has three clean sheets, but seven conceded in his four games in which he conceded.
Richie Lareya
Laryea has returned to TFC on loan from Nottingham Forest, and is still one of the best right backs in MLS. The 28 year old Canadian international has an assist in 540 minutes.
Mark-Anthony Kaye
Kaye was brought in in the summer from Colorado, and had also been one of the best players in MLS at his position. He has two goals so far as well, which not only speaks to his quality going forward, but also to Toronto’s midfield’s aggressive nature.
Jonathan Osorio
Osorio was brought back in at TFC after having his contract expire.He had 13 g/a in 2022, and has 2 g/a in 540 minutes this season. He’s goal dangerous and a strong ball progressor to keep your eyes on.
Federico Bernadeschi
The Italian international had 10 g/a in just under 1,100 minutes in 2022 with TFC, though half of those were penalties. In 2023, however, he has 2 non-penalty goals, an assist, and a penalty goal. He’s a very dangerous player.
Predicted XI:
Score Prediction:
0-0 Atlanta
Toronto are not good, to put it bluntly. They have one win this year, and it was a month ago, but they also have five draws, and haven’t lost in nearly two months. Add this to Atlanta being poor without Almada, and the losses of Franco Ibarra and Brad Guzan potentially affecting things, and I think the Five Stripes are lucky to come away with a point.
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