It’s only a week since Toronto FC and New York City FC played a disappointing match at the iconic Yankee Stadium, ending in a draw. A more decisive outcome is definitely in high demand from both teams’ fans, and we’ll all be hoping to see their players pull out all the stops for a nail-biting match.
Still, the last match they played did see TFC’s Ashtone Morgan (a player with their longest-tenure) get the first impressive goal of his MLS career, which brought in an early lead.
Let’s not forget the drama of that potential winning-goal from Jay Chapman, which was thrown out by referee Jorge Gonzalez after he and his colleagues paid close attention to the set-up (the ball deflected off Chapman’s shin before netting the goal).
Toronto FC Form
Toronto FC have been unbeaten in their previous 11 home league matches, with eight wins and three draws. They’re ranked 5th place in current standings, with 50 points to their name (49 goals scored, 39 goals received across their previous 33 league matches).
Their team has managed to outscore their opposition too, securing an impressive 25-9 score across all of those games combined. They snagged a 1-1 draw recently (in a match against Colorado), and Vazquez has shown real creativity by setting up five solid chances in that match alone. This is the third MLS match in which he’s made at least five powerful passes.
Toronto FC are also tied with LA Galaxy to earn the most points at away matches: both teams have 16 apiece so far. They’re also the only teams in the MLS with more wins away than losses.
New York City FC Form
New York City FC are ranked at 4th place, basting 54 points so far this season. They’re running with 60 goals scored and 53 received, but have lost three of their previous five road league matches. While this is two wins, they have outscored their opposing teams 9-8 over the course of those five matches, and this ratio of 1.6 goals scored at every away game is second only to LA Galaxy’s success so far.
New York City FC have also averaged 25.4 touches of the ball in their opposition’s box in each game, which equates to the most of any team in the MLS this season.
Team News
Toronto FC will be playing without Steven Beitashour, who has suffered an abdominal injury, and Beonit Cheyrou, due to a troublesome calf tear.
New York City FC, on the other hand, will be playing without Yangel Herrera (as he received a red card), and various others are off the starting XI for a number of reasons. Khiry Shelton’s hamstring injury has put him out of commission for between four and six weeks, Ronald Matarrita is out due to foot surgery, and Miguel Camargo has suffered a terrifyingly-named non-displaced hip fracture.
On top of this, New York City FC are forced to play without James Sands, due to a right ASIS apophysitis injury, as well as Rodney Wallace, who has a right adductor strain. Meanwhile, Ben Sweat’s head injury has put him out of action too.
Top Betting Tips
Both teams are clearly well-balanced, with the previous match bringing in that disappointing draw. Still, both sides know how crucial this match is, so they’re sure to give it 110%. The odds are telling a different story, though, with Ladbrokes listing New York City FC to win at odds of 14/5, and Toronto FC to win at odds of 4/5.
Given how tight the action was in their last match, it’s a fair bet that any winning score from either side will be narrow. William Hill has NYCFC to win with a tight correct score of 2-1 at 12/1, and Toronto the same at 15/2.
Jay Chapman, who scored that potentially-winning goal only to have it disallowed last time, is listed as first to score at 7/1, while an anytime bet on him is 21/10. There’s a lot riding on this match, but keeping to a low-score result will likely yield the best payouts.