After rallying for points in consecutive road matches, Orlando City look to build on that success and extend their unbeaten streak when they host Toronto FC on Saturday.
Orlando (2-3-3, 9 points) is coming off a 2-2 draw at CF Montreal last week, a match in which it trailed by a goal twice. Montreal had taken a 2-1 lead in the 88th minute but Ivan Angulo scored in the second minute of second-half stoppage time to secure the point.
A week earlier, the Lions were also down by a goal twice against D.C. United before tying it late and winning in stoppage time.
Orlando is 2-0-2 in its past four matches, with a draw against the New York Red Bulls and a win against Austin FC preceding their stint on the road.
“We have a lot of the same guys as last year so we know that we’re one of the best teams in the league and we can make a run and have a lot of games of unbeaten,” defender Kyle Smith said. “So, yeah, we’re very confident. Our confidence is very high.”
Facundo Torres converted on a penalty kick against Montreal for his first goal of the season. It was his 31st career tally, tying him with Nani for second-most in club history.
Toronto (4-4-1, 13 points) returns to the pitch on short rest after a 5-0 victory in the preliminary round of the Canadian Championship on Wednesday against League1 Ontario champions Simcoe County Rovers FC.
It was the Reds’ second straight victory across all competitions after a three-game skid in MLS action in which they were outscored 10-3.
Toronto coach John Herdman knows Orlando will enter the match prepared.
“He’s been playing against back-5 teams in Montreal and D.C. the last two matches so he’s coming in with probably a very clear blueprint in how to operate against back-5 teams,” Herdman said. “His team will be well-versed in that. … And at home, they’ll look to dominate the ball and pick you apart with their qualities. It’ll be a tough match for us.”
Prince Owusu leads Toronto with four goals, two more than the injured Lorenzo Insigne, who has been out since March. Three of those have come in the past two MLS matches.
–Field Level Media
