Toronto FC will try to end a nine-game winless streak in MLS against the LA Galaxy when the two teams meet in California on Saturday.
Here are a few things you need to know about this evening’s match.
Saturday programming alert: Watch LA Galaxy vs. Toronto FC live on Sportsnet 360 and Sportsnet World at 10:30 pm ET. || Sportsnet World NOW|| Broadcast schedule
Gold Cup call-ups hit both teams hard
The CONCACAF Gold Cup kicks off on Tuesday, which means a lot of MLS teams will be missing players over the next few weeks.
Toronto FC, in particular, has been hit hard as it will be without four starters for Saturday’s match: captain Michael Bradley and forward Jozy Altidore (United States), and midfielder Jonathan Osorio and left fullback Ashtone Morgan (Canada).
With Morgan gone, look for coach Greg Vanney to shift Justin Morrow back to his normal left fullback slot and play Warren Creavalle on the right side of defence. Collen Warner will deputize for Bradley. Osorio could be replaced by fellow Canadian Jay Chapman, while Robbie Findley is an option to fill in for Altidore.
“I think we have good depth,” Vanney said. “We have good experience and we also have some good youth in the group that really are deserving of an opportunity at this point anyway.”
LA is missing three starters due to the Gold Cup: defender Omar Gonzalez and forward Gyasi Zardes (United States), and goalkeeper Jaime Penedo (Panama).
Other absences
TFC forward Luke Moore did not travel to California—he flew back to England due to a death in the family. As a result, Canadian Jordan Hamilton made the trip to LA.
Defenders Steven Caldwell, Mark Bloom and Clement Simonin remain sidelined with long-term injuries.
French midfielder Benoit Cheyrou, who has missed Toronto’s last two games with a calf injury, did make the trip and is available for selection.
LA will be missing suspended forward Alan Gordon, who played for Toronto in 2011.
Steven Gerrard has been training with LA but is not eligible to play for the Galaxy until July 8 when the MLS transfer window re-opens.
Keane vs. Giovinco
This game will pit the reigning league MVP (LA forward Robbie Keane) against the player who’s the early bet to win the award this season (Toronto’s Sebastian Giovinco).
Keane has only three goals this season—he had 19 a year ago—but has been hampered by a groin injury.
Giovinco is among the league leaders with eight goals and seven assists in his first MLS campaign. The Italian has also taken a league-high 86 shots.
LA tough to beat at home
LA has been a tale of two teams this season: virtually unbeatable at home, and terrible on the road. The Galaxy have won eight of their ten games at the SubHub Center, with only one loss. The Galaxy scored five goals in back-to-back wins in their last two home outings.
On the road, LA is winless in 10 games, with five losses.
“I think they’re a team who especially at home knows very much who they are and how they go about getting results,” Vanney said of the Galaxy.
Head to head
LA leads the all-time MLS series with Toronto, winning five of 13 matches with six draws. The Galaxy have won four of seven home games, with just one loss. The Galaxy defeated the Reds 3-0 at home on Oct. 4, 2014 in their previous encounter.
TFC hasn’t defeated LA in MLS since 2008 when it swept the season series. That same year was also the last time Toronto won in LA in MLS action.
LA is unbeaten in its last nine MLS games against Toronto—four wins and five draws.
Saturday marks the only meeting between these two teams this season.
What’s next?
Toronto FC visits New York City FC on Sunday, July 12.
CONCACAF Gold Cup on Sportsnet: Watch every game from the CONCACAF Gold Cup live on Sportsnet from July 7-26. Consult our broadcast schedule by CLICKING HERE.