Wednesday night will feature a battle of top teams in the Eastern Conference as second-placed D.C. United take on third-ranked Toronto FC in a game that has substantial playoff seeding implications for both sides.
This promises to be a highly-entertaining matchup with both squads parading top-of-the-line offensive talent, with Toronto’s duo of Jermain Defoe and Michael Bradley locking horns with D.C. United’s Eddie Johnson and Luis Silva.
While the European teams are starting to plot their plan of attack for Euro 2016 (our preview and picks for that tournament are here), players on the other side of the Atlantic are keen to show Major League Soccer’s own distinct style and flavor. Read on for our preview of this important Eastern Conference tussle.
[sc:MultiSportArticles ]Toronto FC vs. D.C. United, Major League Soccer, Betting Preview and Prediction
Where: RFK Memorial Stadium, Washington, D.C.
When: Wednesday, July 30, 7:00 PM ET
Line: Toronto FC +252 vs. D.C. United -111, tie +232; total 2.5 – see all MLS lines
Betting on Toronto FC
Toronto FC suffered a disappointing 2-1 defeat last week at home against 10-man Sporting Kansas City as their bad run of form just continues to go on. Missing the services of star striker Jermain Defoe, Toronto couldn’t utilize their extra man advantage as a late defensive miscue gave the defending champions a vital victory.
[sc:Soccer240banner ]Those defensive lapses have proven to be a key reason behind Toronto’s sudden dip in form. TFC has allowed 12 goals in their last seven games. In fact, it has been a miserable July for the Canadian outfit, as they’ve won just once in their past six games to tumble down in the standings. They are now just three points clear of sixth-placed squads New England Revolution and Philadelphia Union, who are hot on their heels for the final playoff spots.
Toronto travels to RFK Stadium to face a D.C. United squad brimming with confidence, having won their last three games. Unfortunately for Toronto, their recent away form has been poor, as they have gone winless in their last five games on the road, scoring just three points on their recent travels.
Their offense will be boosted, though, with the return of leading scorer Jermain Defoe (11), whose goal-scoring exploits were sorely missed in their game against Sporting Kansas City. Defensive worries continue to mount, though, for Toronto FC with captain Steven Caldwell still doubtful with a quad tear and center back Doneil Henry out because of suspension due to yellow cards.
Betting on D.C. United
When D.C. United announced last June 17 that star striker Fabian Espindola would be out for at least six weeks with a strained medial collateral ligament in his right knee, there was legitimate concern from United fans that their season could be in trouble. Espindola has been tremendous for the club this season leading the team in goals (7) and assists (8) as they surged to the top of the Eastern Conference standings after finishing with the worst record in MLS history last year.
After losing their next game to Western Conference-leading Seattle Sounders however, D.C. United started to show that they are a team to be reckoned with even without Espindola, winning their last three games, as they fortified their hold of the second spot at 34 points, four behind Eastern Conference leaders and defending MLS champions Sporting Kansas City but with two games in hand.
In fact, their current three-game unbeaten run started with an away win over their next opponents, Toronto FC. Goals by Nick DeLeon and Perry Kitchen gave D.C. United a 2-1 victory over Toronto as other players stepped up in the absence of Espindola.
The strike partnership of Johnson and Silva has proven to be just as effective as Espindola was in the lineup, scoring three goals in United’s last two games. They were instrumental in D.C. United’s 3-1 home win over equally hot Chivas USA as they stopped their four-game winning streak.
In fact, United has an impressive home form, winning three of their last five home games with a draw to boot.
Writer’s Prediction
D.C. United will bang in the goals as they look set to pile on more misery on Toronto FC. Create a betting account now and cash in on the MLS.
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