Toronto FC will look to make history on Sunday night when they take on Sporting Kansas City at Children's Mercy Park. The Reds have never made it through the first three games of the regular season without a loss. Here's everything you need to know about the match.
Who: Sporting Kansas City (2-0-0) vs. Toronto FC (1-0-1)
When: Sunday, March 20 - 7:00 PM ET | TV: TSN 2 | Fox Sports 1 | MLS Live Radio: TSN 1050
Where: Children's Mercy Park - Kansas City, KS
Three Keys: Altidore's Return
After a superb offseason it was especially disappointing for Jozy Altidore to miss the first two games of the season due to a hamstring injury, but he’s back now. “It was a bit frustrating because [the injury] wasn’t as serious as some people made it out to be,” said Altidore following training on Friday. “I’m excited, I’m fit and I’m ready to go.” How TFC will line up with Altidore back in the fold is the big question. The team has used a 4-3-3 formation with Sebastian Giovinco leading the line up top. Altidore’s return could see the return of Giovinco to the wide left position, where he did most of his damage during the 2015 campaign. How the attacking pair will work together will be a major key. “I don’t think we’ve seen their peak together,” Greg Vanney said. “That will take a little bit of time and a lot of games but hopefully as the season goes on they’ll be together on the field more often.”
Come On You Reds Podcast
On this week's show Devang and Gareth discuss the comeback in the Bronx, chat with right back Steven Beitashour and preview Sunday's match vs Sporting Kansas City.
- Dom Dwyer scored a pair of goals in a game for the sixth time in his MLS career – the first since 2014 – including a searing long-range effort from all of 25 yards, as Sporting won for the first time this season in a 2-1 win against Vancouver Whitecaps FC on Saturday evening at Children’s Mercy Park.
- Toronto FC remained undefeated on their long road swing to open the 2016 season, coming back from two goals down for a 2-2 draw at New York City FC on Sunday. Sebastian Giovinco scored a goal and added an assist for a second consecutive game, having played a part in all four TFC goals this season.
- Sporting have a six-game undefeated streak alive vs. Toronto FC, dating back to the 2013 season, having won the last three meetings between the teams, including a 3-1 win last year on Aug. 8 at BMO Field in the only meeting between the teams. Sporting have won on their last three trips to BMO Field.
- TFC have never won at Sporting Park. Sporting are undefeated in their last seven home meetings vs. TFC, with six wins and one draw in that time; Toronto FC’s lone win in Kansas City came in 2009 at Community America Ballpark.
