Toronto FC vs. Columbus Crew: Everything you need to know
After conceding the most goals in franchise history one season ago, Toronto FC haven’t started much better in that category in 2022, as they’ve allowed the third most goals in the league through the first two matches of the year.
And you can’t really chalk that up to unfortunate breaks.
If you look at expected goals allowed (xGA), the Reds are dead last in Major League Soccer at 4.7 – level with only the San Jose Earthquakes. It’s an area in whichBob Bradley wants his squad to tighten up.
“Defending is not just your back line, defending is different situations that start in different ways,” said Bradley at the BMO Field Training Grounds on Thursday. “There’s different aspects that need to be improved for sure … I think like any team where you’ve got some new players, finding the right way for us to be more solid defensively is going to be more important and hopefully some of the things we’ve done in training can be utilized this week.”
Toronto FC’s defence will be put to the test in Saturday’s match as they travel to Ohio’s Lower.com Field to take on the high-scoring Columbus Crew, who have already netted seven goals through their first two games this year – including a 4-0 thrashing of the Vancouver Whitecaps on opening day.
The Crew’s biggest threat remains 29-year-old attacking midfielder Lucas Zelarayán. The 2020 MLS Cup Final MVP and 2020 MLS Newcomer of the Year has already scored three times this season and added an assist. Add in U.S. international Gyasi Zardes and Barcelona native Miguel Berry, and Columbus have a potent offence that’ll make for a dangerous opponent, especially for a Toronto FC team looking to shore up their defensive woes.
“Good team,” said Bradley. “Zelarayán is creative, an excellent striker of the ball, good on free kicks so he poses a threat. They have gotten goals from Berry, he’s an interesting attacker. Obviously, if Zardes doesn’t start, he can come off the bench, so they’ve got some good attacking players.
“I think we have a good idea of things they like to do and then there’s always the part of how good can we be?”
To make the task of stifling the Crew at home even tougher, TFC will have to do so without two starting defenders – including designated player Carlos Salcedo.
The Mexican international was suspended for one match and issued an undisclosed fine for serious foul play in the 60th minute of Toronto’s match against the New York Red Bulls on Saturday by the MLS disciplinary committee.
At the time of the foul, video review was used to check for a possible Red Card, although the TFC defender was issued a yellow card. However, the disciplinary committee found that the play was a clear and unequivocal red card, and handed the suspension to Salcedo on Wednesday.
“I think the suspension is harsh,” said Bradley. “I don’t even think the AR called a foul. It’s early in the year and there’s a tendency sometimes early in the year to be on top of these things more. If that’s the way it’s going to be done, then I hope there’s consistency throughout the year.”
Toronto will also have to get the job done without Jacob Shaffelburg, who has been ruled out against Columbus with what the team is calling a lower-leg injury. Clutching the back of his leg, the 22-year-old Canadian was forced to leave Saturday’s match at halftime. It’s worth noting that Shaffelburg missed time last season due to a hamstring injury, so TFC will likely proceed with caution.
Look for 21-year-old homegrown Luca Petrasso to get the start at left back in place of Shaffelburg. Petrasso started his first MLS match against the New York Red Bulls on the left wing and registered the lone assist. Afterwards, he was praised by his manager for his play going forward in the first half. But, his defending in the second half – after dropping to left back in place of Shaffelburg – left more to be desired.
“In the first half, he [Petrasso] was really bright,” said Bradley. “That's what we've seen of him lately. I think he took the opportunity to start. A lot of our attack in the first half came down our left side through him. So a really positive day.
“When he went to left back, yeah, there's a few moments now defensively where in certain moments he got caught on the wrong side of a guy, and we got to work through some details, but happy for him.”
Historically, Toronto FC have struggled playing in Columbus, sporting a 4-10-6 record all time in Ohio. Their last win on the road against the Crew came all the way back in May 2017 – a 2-1 victory that day thanks to a pair of late goals from Tosaint Ricketts. This will be the Reds first time playing at the club’s new Lower.com Field.
“Defensively, often times, it’s just seeing things a little faster – faster reactions," Bradley said. "Ability to assess a situation. Is it a moment to step up and try and win a ball? Is it more of a controlling moment?
"We’ve made a few mistakes where we’ve been a little bit anxious to try to win a ball and now maybe we should’ve been smarter in a given moment. There’s other times where we’re a little slow to step up. It’s not one thing, it’s a package of ideas that we’ve worked on from the beginning that just need to get better.”
Kickoff is at 1:30 pm ET.
Predicted Starting XI
Quentin Westberg;
Marshall-Rutty, O’Neill, Mavinga, Petrasso;
Bradley, Osorio;
Achara, Pozuelo, Nelson;
Jiménez
Injury Report
Toronto FC
OUT
Ayo Akinola (ACL)
Jacob Shaffelburg (Lower Leg)
Carlos Salcedo (Suspension)
Columbus Crew
OUT
Kevin Molino - R Knee Injury
Jake Morris - R Foot Injury
Josh Williams - L Thigh Injury
Isaiah Parente - Illness
Sean Zawadzki - Concussion
Betting Lines
Columbus Crew (-167) | Toronto FC (+425) | Draw (+300)
O/U 2.5
.jpg)
