MX23RW : Sunday, June 16 06:19:36| >> :600:170286:170286:
[monks data]
Toronto FC
Major League Soccer
May 26, 2024 at 12.30am UK
BMO Field
FC Cincinnati

Toronto
3 - 4
Cincinnati

Flores (25'), Murphy (63' og.), Insigne (85' pen.)
Flores (33'), Longstaff (60'), Long (78'), Insigne (90+8')
FT(HT: 1-0)
Orellano (53', 79'), Kelsy (55'), Santos (90+3')
Orellano (60'), Robinson (83'), Kelsy (90+10')

Preview: Toronto vs. FC Cincinnati - prediction, team news, lineups

Sports Mole previews Saturday's Major League Soccer clash between Toronto and FC Cincinnati, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

First place in the MLS Supporters' Shield standings is within reach for FC Cincinnati as they travel to BMO Field on Saturday to face Toronto.

Thanks to a 3-1 victory over St Louis City last weekend, the Orange and Blue trail Inter Miami for first overall by just a single point, while the Reds clobbered CF Montreal 5-1, moving up to fifth in the Eastern Conference.


Match preview

Toronto forward Federico Bernardeschi celebrates scoring a goal with his teammates© Reuters

The Toronto attack has sprung to life throughout the month of May, scoring 21 goals in their previous six competitive fixtures.

John Herdman built up a reputation as a miracle worker for the Canadian men's and women's national teams, and he has done the same with TFC, who have 22 points in MLS thus far, eight more than they had after 14 league fixtures a year ago.

Five of their seven MLS victories this season have occurred at BMO Field, which is one more than they managed in this competition last season.

TFC have found the back of the net in all of their competitive home games this season, winning their last two matches played at BMO Field by a combined margin of 13-2.

Since squandering a 1-0 lead at home to New York City FC in the middle of March, Toronto have won seven consecutive matches in all competitions when scoring the opening goal.

The Reds have not beaten Cincinnati in a regular-season contest since September 2021, when they erased a 1-0 half-time deficit and won 3-2 at BMO Field.

FC Cincinnati head coach Pat Noonan before the game on March 3, 2024© Reuters

With all of the star power and attention focused around Inter Miami throughout the campaign, many might not notice that the Orange and Blue are putting together another stellar regular season.

Fresh off winning the Supporters' Shield in 2023, Pat Noonan's men are in the hunt to become the first side in this competition to claim that honour in successive seasons since the Los Angeles Galaxy in 2010 and 2011.

Last weekend, Cincy won their sixth successive regular-season encounter of 2024, equalling a club record set last year, while they are within striking distance of Miami, with a game in hand on the Herons.

Like a year ago, they have looked compact and tidy on the back end in 2024, conceding the fewest goals in MLS this season (11).

When games are tight and the tension rises, Cincinnati seem to be at their best, with eight of their nine league victories this year being by a single goal.

Cincy are unbeaten in their last five regular season encounters against Toronto, winning by a single goal in each of their last two visits to BMO Field.

Toronto Major League Soccer form:

Toronto form (all competitions):
  • W
  • W
  • L
  • L
  • W
  • W

FC Cincinnati Major League Soccer form:


Team News

Toronto FC head coach John Herdman yells on February 24, 2024© Reuters

Last weekend, Jonathan Osorio sat out with a thigh issue, while Toronto were also without Richie Laryea, who is dealing with a hamstring strain, Shane O'Neill did not feature due to a quad injury and Federico Bernardeschi will be suspended due to yellow card accumulation.

Brandon Servania remains sidelined with a ruptured ACL, and Jahkeele Marshall-Rutty was questionable heading into their match with Montreal due to a hamstring issue but came on as a substitute.

Bernardeschi bagged a hat-trick in their previous MLS clash, moving into a tie with Prince Owusu for the team lead, with the German scoring his sixth of the season in his return from suspension, while their other strike came courtesy of Matty Longstaff, his second of the domestic campaign.

The Orange and Blue were missing Miles Robinson in their victory over St. Louis City after he was hurt in a clash of heads with Giorgos Giakoumakis of Atlanta United, Corey Baird sat out with a hip issue and Alvas Powell was dealing with a hamstring strain.

Aaron Boupendza missed their previous encounter with a broken jaw, and DeAndre Yedlin did not play because of a lingering hip injury.

The reigning league MVP Luciano Acosta set a new club record with a goal contribution in his eighth successive MLS encounter, while the other Cincy goals came courtesy of Sergio Santos and Yuya Kubo.

Toronto possible starting lineup:
Johnson; Rosted, Gomis, Petretta; Flores, Coello, Longstaff, Spicer; Etienne, Insigne; Owusu

FC Cincinnati possible starting lineup:
Celentano; Keller, Miazga, Murphy; Halsey, Nwobodo, Bucha, Orellano; Acosta; Santos, Valenzuela


SM words green background

We say: Toronto 1-2 FC Cincinnati

The Reds are vastly improved this year, but most of their contributions have come from their Designated Players, while they have not played many solid defensive units in recent games.

Cincinnati have the composure needed to handle hostile environments and thrive in close games, and that consistency could propel them to a seventh successive MLS triumph.


For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.


ID:544303:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:collect11635:

Previews by email

Click here to get Sports Mole's daily email of previews and predictions for every major game!



Game History

How you voted: Toronto vs Cincinnati

Toronto
32.1%
Draw
21.4%
FC Cincinnati
46.4%
28
Collect / Create New Data
Share this article now:
Inter Miami CF midfielder Diego Gomez (20) reacts with teammates on February 22, 2024
Read Next:
Wednesday's Major League Soccer predictions including Orlando vs. Inter Miami
>
Sports Mole Logo
Enter your email address to subscribe to Sports Mole's free match previews newsletter! Updates are sent twice a week.
rhs 2.0
Euro 2024 fixtures header
Sunday, June 16
 
5pm
 
8pm
Monday, June 17
 
2pm
 
5pm
 
8pm
Tuesday, June 18
 
5pm
Wednesday, June 19
 
2pm
 
5pm
 
8pm
Thursday, June 20
 
2pm
 
5pm
 
8pm
Group Stage
Spain
vs.
Italy
Friday, June 21
 
2pm
 
5pm
 
8pm
Saturday, June 22
 
5pm
 
8pm
Sunday, June 23
 
8pm
 
8pm
Monday, June 24
 
8pm
 
8pm
Tuesday, June 25
 
5pm
 
5pm
 
8pm
 
8pm
Wednesday, June 26
 
5pm
 
5pm
 
8pm
 
8pm
Saturday, June 29
Sunday, June 30
Monday, July 1
Tuesday, July 2
Friday, July 5
Saturday, July 6
Tuesday, July 9
Wednesday, July 10
Sunday, July 14
Tables header RHS

Group A

TeamPWDLPTS
1 Germany Germany11003
2 Switzerland Switzerland11003
3 Hungary Hungary10010
4 Scotland flag Scotland10010

Group B

TeamPWDLPTS
1 Spain Spain11003
2 Italy Italy11003
3 Albania national flag Albania10010
4 Croatia Croatia10010

Group C

TeamPWDLPTS
1 Denmark Denmark00000
2 England flag England00000
3 Serbia Serbia00000
4 Slovenia Slovenia00000

Group D

TeamPWDLPTS
1 Austria Austria00000
2 France France00000
3 Netherlands Netherlands00000
4 Poland Poland00000

Group E

TeamPWDLPTS
1 Belgium Belgium00000
2 Romania Romania00000
3 Slovakia Slovakia00000
4 Ukraine Ukraine00000

Group F

TeamPWDLPTS
1 Czech Republic Czech Republic00000
2 Georgia Georgia00000
3 Portugal Portugal00000
4 Turkey Turkey00000


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!