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Toronto FC will be glad to be back at BMO Field on Wednesday after suffering an awful month of road results and specifically defending. The Reds welcome Orlando City, local boy and MLS Rookie of the Year candidate, Cyle Larin, who has been red hot of late scoring in bunches and keeping the expansion side competitive, win or lose. TFC desperately need some home fixtures to offer a bit of advantage and hopefully improve what has been an atrocious display from their defence of the last thirty days.
Greg Vanney's side are reeling after a poor display on the weekend against New England where red cards, fouls and set pieces did them in. It is becoming a broken record, but most can now clearly see where the issues are with the side and it is not in the attack. Luckily for TFC, they are up against an opponent who are not defending well and have surrendered plenty of goals against. It looks like it could be another shootout for Toronto, however, focusing on a more disciplined and mentally tough defensive outing is paramount if they are going to earn three points against Orlando.
Keep thinking
TFC are coming off a poor display this past weekend against New England where their defending was shambolic and the result reflected that in a 3-1 scoreline. For most of July, or a span of thirty days, the side has been terrible on the road, allowing 14 goals over four games and the manner in which they were conceded underscores a lack of leadership and organization at the back. It has been a familiar tune to supporters over the years, but defending on set pieces once again is the team's achilles heel and where opposition consistently are finding ways to put the ball in the net.
Fortunately, the glut of road games are over and Toronto are looking at their next ten of fourteen games at BMO Field. This could not be better news as despite BMO still not quite a fortress, at least defensively the team has looked better with homefield advantage. This will be essential come Wednesday night as Orlando have been scoring with frequency, but also conceding and there is little doubt that chances will come for both teams and finishing will be the order of the day. For TFC, eyes will be on the centre back pairing of Perquis and Kantari who did not look convincing on the weekend, and if they can deal with the on fire Cyle Larin.
Orlando City are a side that despite their expansion team status, still have plenty of formidable puzzle pieces that are ensuring they are competitive week in week out. Brampton's Cyle Larin is of course the player with all the buzz right now as he has scored 5 goals in his last two games. Those goals have not been just the right place at the right time, but he has shown strong technique for a 20-year old and propelled them to a massive 5-2 win over Columbus over the weekend. As well, through the middle is none other than Kaka, who has also had a good season with 9 goals to show so far.
What has been one of Orlando's strengths is a midfield that has the capability to play through the middle as well as down the wings. Players such as Carlos Rivas, Darwin Ceren, Brek Shea and Cristian Higuita are all dangerous in the midfield, and the full back ability of Corey Ashe was seen with two assists to Larin on the weekend.
Toronto will need to put in a far more disciplined defensive display if they are to keep Orlando at bay. With good attacking width, there will be balls delivered into the 18 yard box from out wide and Justin Morrow and the returning Ashtone Morgan will have their hands full. Limiting space will be their biggest task, but also the likes of Benoit Cheyrou and Collen Warner will need to bring support to a suspect centre back pairing of Perquis and Kantari. It might be too soon to come to a conclusion on Kantari, but Perquis of late has been a liability serving up fouls in key areas and offering little in terms of effective marking on set pieces and attacks on goal.
The set piece defending will be an area to monitor as it has been terrible of late and a player like Kaka will be eagerly awaiting his opportunity to have a strike on goal, or deliver a pin point cross in and around goal.
As much as TFC's defending has been an issue, Orlando has not been much better. It might be too cliché to say this game will be two heavy-handed fighters going toe to toe, but even with a MLS proven defender in Aurelian Colin on Orlando's back line, they have not been convincing in keeping opponents from scoring. This bodes well for Toronto as most will have seen Giovinco subbed out at the half on the weekend, likely with this fixture and Saturday's in mind. Orlando do not have the grit of New York City FC, and the likelihood that the Italian DP could be bossed out of this match unlikely. As always, his support will determine how effective he is and without Jozy Altidore and Luke Moore, the options up top are not convincing.
It would seem unlikely Greg Vanney will be able to instill new defensive confidence leading into this match, so finding a make-up that can get the most out of Giovinco and have the right balance in the midfield to link the back to front will be essential. Jonathan Osorio played well against New England as well as Marky Delgado and they will need to be primed to contribute. Potentially with Warner back, Cheyrou can be allowed to push up further to create in the attacking end, but we saw against Columbus both players can switch off and be effective in the final third. This match could also be another opportunity for Robbie Findlay to prove himself as he's been ineffective since the season opener where he scored his only goal. Even with the poor defending of late, truthfully this is where the game will be determined for TFC and if they cannot lock it down and limit chances around the 18 yard box, there is little doubt Orlando will be able to score.
In the end
Toronto are likely looking to forget the last month of road games as quickly as possible. Luckily, the glut of home fixtures are on the horizon and should see them with a strong advantage in the final months of the season. It begins Wednesday against Orlando City and their in-form striker, and local-boy, Cyle Larin. Both sides have not been convincing defensively, but if one could see a clear approach to where the goals are coming it is from Orlando. TFC's might be from a single source, but keeping Giovinco tied down has only happened once this season and after a poor display for the side on the weekend, should be motivated to set things right and come out with a win.
Prediction
Toronto FC 2 – 1 Orlando City
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