The last time I sat down to write an article about a Toronto match, I couldn’t have been more wrong. I called for a total goal fest against New England and we got a 0-0 stinker. However, shooters shoot, and I can’t wait to see an absolutely classic MLS after dark goalfest. Portland is barely hanging on to the final playoff spot in the West. Toronto is only 4 points back from Chicago and a potential playoff push in the East. If either team comes away with 3 points tonight, we are going to have an extremely entertaining race to the playoffs.
Portland have been digging their heels in, and refusing to lose as road dogs recently. They have managed to be 1-3-1 in their last 5 road games. Gutting out a 2-2 draw in Nashville and a 4-4 draw in Minnesota. Portland is actually undefeated in their last 10 matches. Their last defeat came on the road in Miami. In that 10 game span, Portland has managed 1 or more goal(s) in every match. I hope to see the Polish national Niezgoda get his 10th goal tonight to keep Portland’s playoff hopes within reach. I will also be dipping back into the assist market tonight with Yimmy Chara. He managed to get an assist for us at +375 the last time out and is still tied for 5th in the MLS with eight assists on the year.
Toronto’s Italian national signings have been working out well. Toronto managed to come out of Nashville last weekend with a W, something that is incredibly difficult to do. In that victory, Toronto managed to net four goals. Osorio, the Canadian national, got two behind the keeper against Nashville and has benefited greatly from the attention Insigne and Bernardeschi have been commanding. However, both Bernardeschi and Insigne found the back of the net as well. Bernardeschi has managed to record a goal and an assist in two of his first three MLS matches. Insigne has also been on the score sheet in two of three MLS matches. I look for that trend to continue tonight.
With the high powered offenses and lackluster defenses going tonight, I am personally going to avoid picking a winner. I just love goals.
