Photo: Graham Green
D.C. United’s last stop on their four-match road streak will end this Saturday, July 23, in Toronto, against Toronto FC.
Saturday’s game is an important game for both teams, The Black-and-Red is looking to end the road with a win (0-1-2) and earn three more points going up to 5 out of the possible 12 on this road stretch. Meanwhile Toronto is looking to stay between the top six or move up in the Eastern Conference.
The two sides have met 24 times prior to today’s match. In their most recent encounter, Toronto snatched an early goal thanks to a goal by Sebastian Giovinco.
Toronto had a tough couple of weeks, with the midfielder Giovinco going eight games without a goal. Although he but it still a dangerous player “Even if you do a good job and he doesn’t get on the ball as much as Toronto wants, he still has these moments of brilliance that can change games,” said D.C. United Coach Ben Olsen. With Michael Bradley, Will Johnson and Clint Irwin out of Saturday’s match with injuries the pressure will be on Giovinco to perform.
United players, Chris Rolfe, 33, and Alhaji Kamara, 22, will also miss the next game because of injuries, Rolfe with a concussion and Kamara with a right hamstring injury. Saturday’s match will also be the debut match for Patrick Mullins, who was acquired early in the week from New York City Football Club. With Kamara out and Fabian Espindola off to the Vancouver Whitecaps, look for Mullins to be given a look either as a starter or as a substitute.
DC United
Toronto FC
