When the Reds (6-6-5) last faced Columbus (3-7-7), on May 21, they were in the middle of a home stretch that saw them pick up just five points from their opening five games at BMO Field. However, following a nervy 1-0 win at home to basement club Chicago Fire last week, TFC sit fifth in the Eastern Conference, while the Crew are looking a long way up, only two points above the struggling Fire.
Toronto have been misfiring up front to a certain degree, with Sebastian Giovinco scoreless in seven games, so Greg Vanney will hope Altidore can stay fit for the hectic run of games coming up.
Defender Josh Williams is back to full fitness and will return to Ohio, where he spent four years with his old crew.
It has been a tale of mixed fortunes for Columbus in recent games. In the 3-1 away defeat to New England last weekend, Ola Kamara extended his scoring streak to three. The Norwegian front man now has eight goals in the last six MLS games. However, Head coach Gregg Berhalter has seen his side lose twice in a row and they are winless in five.
Missing from the home side’s starting lineup from the last time the teams faced off will be midfield maestro Federico Higuain, who is recovering from hernia surgery and centre back Gaston Sauro, who is spending a lengthy spell on the sidelines with a torn PCL
The game between the sides earlier this season ended in a 0-0 stalemate but the Crew defeated the Reds twice last season, home and away. The last installment of the rivalry at MAPFRE Stadium was a 3-3 goal fest, this time last year.
Projected Line-ups
Toronto: A.Bono, E.Zavaleta, J.Williams, D.Moor, J.Morrow, B.Cheyrou, M.Delgado, J.Osorio, M.Babouli, S.Giovinco, J.Hamilton
Columbus Crew: S.Clark, H.Afful, M.Parkhurst, C.Barson, W.Francis, W.Trapp, T.Tchani, M.Saeid, J.Meram, E.Finlay, O.Kamara
Referee: Robert Sibiga
Broadcast: TSN2