What we’re watching in Toronto FC vs Real Salt Lake

Real Salt Lake have 4 points in 3 matches. Toronto FC have zero points from 2 matches, but they’ve had an impressive run in CONCACAF Champions League.

Injury Issues, or Hello Darkness My Old Friend

RSL have no fewer than ten players on this week’s injury report. The good news is that five of those players on listed as probable, so it’s likely they could see the field. The players listed as out are Allen, Beltran, and Peavy. The two questionable players are Mulholland and Barry. The remaining five probable players are Henley (played last weekend with the Monarchs), Herrera, Plata, and both Silvas.

Toronto, by contrast, have Justin Morrow listed as questionable and Chris Mavinga listed as probable. The larger issue for TFC will be their schedule congestion with CCL. They last played on March 17, but have a quick turnaround after playing RSL with a CCL match on Tuesday, April 3.

Our options feel pretty limited. We could start some of the probable players, or go further down the depth chart and play some of the younger guys. I’m hoping for a youthful start, then a few subs to get some legs back after injury.

International Break Bump

A lot of good can come from the international break, even if only one RSL player received a call up. Most RSL players got some rest. Albert Rusnak may have had a hectic week with travel, but scoring a beautiful goal, and his first goal, for Slovakia must be a huge boost in confidence. Six RSL players saw minutes with the Monarchs, many of them haven’t seen significant first team minutes. This should allow for meaningful game time and the confidence to step it up for Real. Look to see who stands out since the game against the Red Bulls.

Center Forward

There’s a lingering question of who is the go-to center forward. Ortuño hasn’t greatly impressed but his time on the field has been rather limited. Luis Silva has more familiarity with our attacking system, but it seems that RSL brought in Ortuño to be that target forward. Keep in mind it might take some time for Ortuño to get into a rhythm with the team and that’s to be expected. This is a game where TFC feel a bit vulnerable. They’ll want to do better than another loss, but this is a chance to put a lot into the attack while CCL is on the line for Toronto.

Predicted Lineup

Rimando

Lennon, Glad, Horst, Phillips

Beckerman, Kreilach

Baird, Rusnak, Savarino

Ortuño