All eyes will be on Sebastian Giovinco Saturday. With six goals already this season, the diminutive Italian will enter TFC history books if he finds the net against Dallas. Currently tied with Dwayne De Rosario on 28 goals, he has the chance to become the club’s all-time record scorer in MLS play.
The odds are in his favour as no team has conceded more goals in MLS this year than Dallas (17). After a hot start to the season, the Western Conference side come into this game on the back of 3-0 and 4-0 defeats to Vancouver and New York Red Bulls. Despite the offensive funk, Dallas (5-3-2) sit tied second for goals scored (15) though have played two games more than their Canadian opponents.
Playmaker Mauro Diaz returned to Dallas’ starting line-up last weekend after missing a month through injury. His return enabled coach Oscar Pareja to return to a 4-2-3-1 formation that sees Diaz play centrally, flanked by pacey Columbian duo Fabian Castillo and Michael Barrios.
The matchup will be a stern test for TFC, who have been defensively disciplined on the road. With just seven goals given up through eight games, Toronto have the tightest backline across the league outright.
Greg Vanney’s other main concern going into Saturday’s game is his teams lack of clinical instincts in the opposition penalty box. Several spurned opportunities in the 2-1 defeat to Portland last time out means only Seattle (8), Columbus (7) and Chicago (7) have scored less goals than TFC (9).
Jonathan Osorio hopes to recover from the ankle sprain that kept him out of the game against the Timbers. If so, Vanney will likely sub him in for Tsubasa Endoh. Otherwise, the team is expected to be unchanged. Benoit Cheyrou is still a couple of weeks away from a return to action.
FC Dallas secured a 3-2 victory when the teams met last year and haven’t lost to Toronto in MLS play since 2007. Saturday’s game at BMO will be the first of a four-game home stand for TFC, where they will hope to back up performances to date and potentially top the Eastern conference by the end of May.
Projected Line-ups
Toronto: C.Irwin, D.Moor, D.Perquis, S.Beitashour, J.Morrow, M.Delgado, M.Bradley, W.Johnson, J.Osorio, S.Giovinco, J.Altidore
FC Dallas: J.Gonzalez, R.Hollingshead, M.Figueroa, Z.Loyd, A.Harris, V.Ulloa, C.Gruezo, F.Castillo, M.Diaz, M.Barrios, M.Urruti
Referee: Jorge Gonzalez
Broadcast: TSN4
Follow Ciarán @keep_score