Torontovs.Vancouver

The Reds were narrowly defeated 2-1 by the New York Red Bulls last time out and sit second from the bottom in the Eastern Conference with just one point, while the Caps were beaten for the first time domestically in 2025 - 3-1 by the Chicago Fire - in their last engagement.

Match preview

Last week, we saw yet another close game involving Toronto, where they failed to come away with anything as that first victory as head coach continues to elude Robin Fraser.

The former Colorado Rapids boss has seen his side lose three consecutive matches in this competition, and TFC have conceded the winner with fewer than 20 minutes remaining in two of those instances.

Their regular season winless run now stands at 10 consecutive matches, with this team losing eight of those encounters, three by a single goal.

As we have seen in recent seasons, the Reds are still extremely vulnerable at the back, conceding a league-high 12 goals thus far, including multiple strikes in each of their league fixtures this year.

Since a 2-1 victory over Austin FC in mid-September, this team have lost four consecutive domestic affairs at BMO Field, including a 2-1 defeat at home to the Chicago Fire earlier this month.

TFC have points in three of their previous four home meetings with the Caps in this competition but have not beaten them at BMO Field since 2020 (1-0).

Finally, Vancouver's winning run came to an end a week ago, with the Whitecaps falling apart in the second half of their match with Chicago.

That was Jesper Sorensen's first defeat in this competition, though the Caps remain on top of the Western Conference table with 12 points after five matchdays.

Vancouver are unbeaten in their last three away matches across all competitions, and on Saturday they can equal their longest MLS road winning run from 2024 (three games).

The Caps have failed to win a competitive fixture this year after conceding the opening goal and have not won a regular season affair when doing so since June of last season (4-3 victory over St Louis City).

Early into the campaign, they are tied on points (12) with the Philadelphia Union for the Supporters' Shield, while they lead the Western Conference in goals scored (10).

It has been over a year and a half since they last won an away contest in MLS versus an Eastern Conference opponent, defeating Toronto at BMO Field 2-1 in September 2023.

Toronto Major League Soccer form:

Vancouver Whitecaps Major League Soccer form:

Vancouver Whitecaps form (all competitions):

Team News

Last Saturday, Richie Laryea and Ola Bryndhildsen were sidelined for Toronto with lower body injuries, while Henry Wingo returned from that same issue, playing the second half in place of Kosi Thompson.

Many more players will be available to Fraser this weekend as Jonathan Osorio, Tyrese Spicer and Deiby Flores are all back from international duty.

Deandre Kerr netted the only TFC goal for a second match running last weekend, giving him the team lead with two in league play this season.

Captain Ryan Gauld was sidelined for Vancouver versus the Fire with a knee issue, Sam Adekugbe had a quad strain and Tristan Blackmon missed that game for personal reasons.

With the international window over the Whitecaps will have Brian White, Pedro Vite, Andres Cubas and Ali Ahmed all available for selection.

Daniel Rios briefly drew his side level last weekend, with the Mexican netting his first goal as a member of the Caps in a losing effort.

Toronto possible starting lineup:

Johnson; Monlouis, Long, Gomis; Wingo, Longstaff, Coello, Petretta; Bernardeschi, Kerr, Insigne

Vancouver Whitecaps possible starting lineup:

Takaoka; Ocampo, Utvik, Veselinovic, Laborda; Berhalter, Cubas, Ngando; Vite, White, Ahmed

We say: Toronto 1-2 Vancouver Whitecaps

The Reds have shown little improvement on the back end, and they will have to contend with a quality number nine in White, along with an outstanding supporting cast of finishers and chance creators.

Written by

Joel Lefevre

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