Crew SC vs. Toronto FC
When: 7:30 Sunday
Where: BMO Field, Toronto
TV: Ch. 53, Time Warner Cable SportsChannel
Radio: WWCD-FM (102.5), WVKO-FM (103.1, in Spanish)
Records: Toronto 7-7-6, 27 points (fifth in Eastern Conference);
Columbus 3-7-10, 19 points (ninth in Eastern Conference)
Last game: Toronto beat D.C. United 4-1 last Saturday; Columbus drew Orlando City FC 2-2 last Saturday.
All-time Series: Crew leads series, 12-5-10.
Projected starters: Columbus -- GK Clark; D Afful, Parkhurst, Wahl, Francis; MF Trapp, Tchani, Higuain, Meram, Mabwati; F Kamara. Toronto FC -- GK Bono; D Morrow, Zavaleta, Moor, Beitashour; MF Endoh, Osorio, Cheyrou, Delgado; F Giovinco, Ricketts.
On Toronto FC: The Crew must try to limit reigning league MVP Sebastian Giovinco, who’s coming off a hat trick in a 4-1 win over D.C. United. Giovinco, who has 11 goals, is particularly dangerous on free kicks, where he’s netted a league-most seven since Opta began tracking them in 2010. He’s done it in just a season and a half . . . Toronto FC was irked by comments from the Crew’s Mohammad Saeid, who earlier in the week said, “(Giovinco) can score, he can shoot, he’s fast, he’s got skill, he’s got everything really so it’s very difficult to limit him but when you do, you limit the whole team.” Toronto coach Greg Vanney disagrees with the assessment and told the Toronto Sun: “I hope the Crew puts all of their attention on him.” Giovinco did not play in the recent 1-1 draw with the Crew . . . Jozy Altidore has returned to the lineup and is expected to come off the bench. Michael Bradley remains out.
On the Crew SC: The Crew needs a win heading into its bye week for any realistic shot at remaining in the playoff hunt. The club is 0-3-5 in its last eight games, and hasn’t won since May 28. Ola Kamara remains hot with 10 goals – tied for fourth in MLS – but his scoring hasn’t translated to wins. The Crew need a spark from Federico Higuain, who returned to the lineup last week after a six- game absence and played well off the bench. The big decision facing coach Gregg Berhalter is whether to start the playmaker. The guess here is yes.
How it might play out: The teams played draws in the first two meetings. Don’t be surprised to see Toronto start this game the same way it did three weeks ago, playing five in the back. But as the second half unfurls expect Toronto to grow more aggressive with Altidore entering off the bench. A Crew loss Sunday could make for interesting week heading into the bye in terms of the roster. The transfer/trade deadline is Wednesday night at 11:59.
Twitter: @treed1919