Good win over the kitties, y’all. Time to enjoy this nice international break.
Wait, what? There’s still a game this weekend? Whose bright idea was this???
The Five Stripes have had a decent start to 2024 with two big wins over Eastern Conference opponents and impressive displays of firepower from its talented attacking arsenal. However, Atlanta United’s squad depth will now be tested as it travels – without seven key players – to BMO Field for a match against Toronto FC.
Toronto, last year’s wooden spoon winners, are experiencing a renaissance under former Canadian National Team coach John Herdman. The team has seven points through four games after positive results in its first three matches, but will look to return to winning ways following a disappointing loss at Yankee Stadium.
Players to Watch
Lorenzo Insigne has started the season with two goals that secured three points against New England Revolution and Charlotte FC. The former Napoli winger racked up four goals and five assists in a turbulent 2023 for the Canadian club. This season the 32-year-old seems to be motivated and in top form. Oh, and he also did this:
Toronto’s other Italian star is Federico Bernardeschi. The former Juventus winger was the Reds’ top scorer in 2023 with five goals and two assists. The 30-year-old scored the opening goal during Toronto’s visit to Atlanta last year with a low, left-footed shot to Brad Guzan’s near post. He hasn’t found the net in 2024, but he should always be considered a serious threat.
Jahkeele Marshall-Rutty scored Toronto’s other goal this season during last weekend’s 2-1 loss at New York City FC. The 19-year-old Canadian has had to fill in at left wing-back after injuries to Richie Laryea and Raoul Petretta, but he has shown that he can create danger on the flank alongside Insigne.
Toronto FC vs Atlanta United 2024 Stat Comparison
The History
Toronto holds a 5-4-6 lead in the all-time series against Atlanta United. When the Five Stripes are on the road, they hold an unfavorable record of 1-4-2 against the Reds. Atlanta’s last win over Toronto was on Sept. 10, 2022 in a game that ended 4-2 thanks to a hat trick from center back Juan Jose Sanchez Purata in an unforgettable night at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. The Five Stripes’ only win at BMO Field dates back to Oct. 16, 2021 after goals from Luiz Araujo and Marcelino Moreno secured a 2-0 result.
Availability Reports
Toronto FC
Questionable:
- Jonathan Osorio (Hip Injury)
Out:
- Deybi Flores (International Duty)
- Nicksoen Gomis (Wrist Injury)
- Sean Johnson (Thigh Injury)
- Richie Laryea (Thigh Injury)
- Raoul Petretta (Groin Injury)
- Brandon Servania (Knee Injury)
Atlanta United
Out:
- Stian Gregersen (Meniscus Injury)
- Giorgos Giakoumakis (International Duty)
- Thiago Almada (International Duty)
- Bartosz Slisz (International Duty)
- Caleb Wiley (International Duty)
- Luis Abram (International Duty)
- Ajani Fortune (International Duty)
Predicted Lineups
Toronto FC Predicted XI:
Atlanta United Predicted XI:
Score Predictions
Jackson (4 points): 2-0 Toronto
Syndey (4 points): 1-1 Draw
Tommy (3 points): 2-0 Toronto
Henry (2 points): 2-1 Toronto
Calum (2 points): 3-1 Toronto
Tyler (2 points): 2-1 Atlanta
Grey (2 points): 1-1 Draw
What do you think? Post your score predictions, thoughts and more in the comments below!
One plus side I’m noticing is that Toronto is also missing a lot of players due to injury. It’s not their star DPs, but it’s not insignificant players either – Johnson, Petretta, Servania, possibly Osorio, Laryea.
[…] Match Preview: Toronto FC vs Atlanta United […]
I like Tyler’s 2-1 optimism…defn possible. 1-1 or 2-2 feel like safe guesses.
I’ll say 2-0 Toronto, with the 2nd goal coming on a counter during extra time. The performance of the depth pieces will be seen as mostly encouraging.
What! You are going without everyone that counts? Can you negociate with Toronto, one point each, and no one gets hurt?
Of the many things I don´t understand about MLS, this is the worst. The league has a 4-month break, but can´t stop for FIFA calendar games? This is stupid overall, but punishes most the clubs that invest in talent.
I can´t understand why the clubs accept this. It means precious points on the line.
The only reason I can think of is this forces clubs to improve their depth. Personally, I’m curious to see how the subs perform. Also, want to see if Pineda’s “system” works across different players. We’ll see….
How do you build depth with a very low limit to spending? There is little depth even before your best players go to FIFA!
And, dear Atlantistas, I am always amazed at your unbeatable optism. a) believing Pineda has some clue as to what he is doing, b) believing in a win in these circumstances. My Brazilian realism would make me run for the hills, park a triarticulate bus, and hope for a result.
I wasn´t so wrong, maybe?
I am cautiously optimistic about this trip. Yes, we’re heavily rotated, and TFC has only one starter called up. But the team did go into Columbus and nearly steal a point from the best side in the league. I’m not sure previous road struggles are still a worry.
By the way, it’s amazing that all it took for Toronto’s Italian DPs to play well was to simply not have a manager who sucks. Who’d have thought that managers might be important.
They look more organized.
Not about the AU-TFC match, but Greece and Georgia both won their EURO 2024 qualifying matches yesterday and will meet each other on Tuesday in Georgia with the winner going to Euro 2024 and the loser not going at all. Tank did play yesterday as a sub. Greece won 5-0 vs. Kazakhstan so I’m guessing Tank didn’t start to save him for Tuesday. Ukraine vs. Iceland and Wales vs. Poland will be the other finals on Tuesday with the winners getting the last spots in EURO 2024 and the losers not going at all.
not expecting a result out of this but i am interested in seeing what a rotated squad looks like this early in the season. firmino, cobb, thiare…would like to see morales and mcfadden get minutes too. not excited to see hernandez out there. i would rather see mcfadden get this start. but here’s to at least playing hard out there and putting together some good runs of play. dax ought to be able to keep the cats herded well enough to be respectable.
and it’s toronto! so who knows!
agreed. especially in light of almada’s very mediocre performance.
Easy to say that, but the game script called for a defensive sub over a like for like and fans would have crucified Pineda if Orlando had clawed back into the match as a result.
We could have subbed in Firmino instead of Thiare or Mosquera.
0-2 loss due to MLS scheduling.
Atlanta also announced a short term deal to call up Matthew Edwards from the 2s. I’m assuming it is just a a depth call up, so he won’t actually get into the match.
It’s amazing how every year the MLS does this and yet I still hope they’ll change. Guess I fall in the idiocy camp!
Its especially frustrating given we had a bye week on matchday 2.
It’s just a purposeful dilution of the MLS product. I don’t know why league officials don’t see it as such. There’s no benefit of having a full slate of games this weekend that will be worse quality by design
If we don’t give up an early goal, we may have a chance. Let’s see what Pineda does strategically. 4-1-3-1?
and 2 in the goal?😉
Sorry left that out. Guz on the left side and Cohen on the right
This is the perfect game to bunker and counter, just like we’ve been practicing. Right, guys?
Right?
Pineda has stated that they do not practice playing an alternate style. I hope that changes.
BELIEVE!!!!
It’s the international break. We’re going to Toronto, Canada. What’s the problem?
Other than half the team’s starters will be out, I mean. And a starting defender is out with an injury so we have a kid facing a pair of crafty Italians.