Toronto FC return to BMO Field looking to regain their winning ways when they play host to the Chicago Fire. TFC won for the first time in seven games last weekend at home, but fell 1-0 at FC Dallas at midweek. The Fire haven’t won in six games but have played to a draw in three in a row, last a scoreless tie with Vancouver Whitecaps FC at home.
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TORONTO FC
Toronto FC weren’t able to build on a first victory in eight games, falling 1-0 to FC Dallas on Wednesday evening at Pizza Hut Park. TFC has 10 points from 10 games on the season, in a tie for sixth place in the Eastern Conference.
LAST MATCH
• Just after the stroke of haltime, the hosts were awarded a penalty when Toronto centre back Adrian Cann made contact with Dallas defender George John on a free kick service. Referee Yader Reyes saw enough to point to the penalty spot, and from the resulting spot kick, Daniel Hernandez sent goalkeeper Stefan Frei the other way.
• TFC head coach Aron Winter made one change to the team that defeated the Houston Dynamo 1-0 at BMO Field. Danleigh Borman came back in at left back for Mikael Yourassowsky.
TORONTO FC (4-1-2-3): Stefan Frei - Richard Eckersley, Dicoy Williams, Adrian Cann, Danleigh Borman - Julian de Guzman - Jacob Peterson, Tony Tchani - Nick Soolsma (Maicon Santos 58), Alen Stevanovic (Mikael Yourassowsky 72), Joao Plata (Javier Martina 50).
CHICAGO FIRE
The Chicago Fire played to a third consecutive draw, this time reaching a scoreless result with Vancouver Whitecaps FC on Saturday evening at Toyota Park. The Fire have 7 points from 8 matches on the year, sitting in eighth place in the Eastern Conference.
LAST MATCH
• The best chance in the game came late in the second half when Eric Hassli was put in alone behind the back four, but Fire goalkeeper Jon Conway came off his line and took the ball off Hassli's foot.
• It was the only save Conway was required over the match; Whitecaps FC goalkeeper Jay Nolly was called upon to make two saves.
• Fire head coach Carlos de los Cobos made no changes to the team that drew 1-1 with the Colorado Rapids at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park.
CHICAGO FIRE (4-4-2): Jon Conway - Jalil Anibaba, Josip Mikulic, Yamith Cuesta, Gonzalo Segares - Dominic Oduro, Dan Paladini, Corben Bone (Baggio Husidic 74), Marco Pappa - Gaston Puerari (Bratislav Ristic 84), Diego Chaves.
REFEREE: Elias Bazakos. SAR (bench): Hector Vergara; JAR (opposite): Corey Parker; 4th: Edvin Jurisevic
Bazakos MLS Career: 11 games; Fouls called/game: 26.6; Yellow cards/game: 2.8; Red cards: 3; Penalty: 0
INJURY REPORT:
TORONTO FC – OUT: MF Elbekay Bouchiba (R knee surgery recovery); FW Alan Gordon (adductor strain); QUESTIONABLE: FW Keith Makubuya (adductor strain); MF Gianluca Zavarise (adductor strain)
CHICAGO FIRE – OUT: MF Mike Banner (L Achilles tendinitis); DF Steven Kinney (R Achilles repair); GK Sean Johnson (R quad strain); MF Patrick Nyarko (concussion); DOUBTFUL: MF Marko Maric (L deltoid sprain/contusion); QUESTIONABLE: MF Logan Pause (L hamstring strain)
WARNINGS:
SUSPENDED NEXT YELLOW CARD: TOR – Julian de Guzman
SUSPENDED AFTER TWO YELLOW CARDS: TOR – Dan Gargan … CHI – Gonzalo Segares, Diego Chaves
HEAD-TO-HEAD
ALL-TIME (9 meetings): Toronto FC 3 wins, 14 goals … Fire 3 wins, 14 goals … Ties 3
AT TORONTO (2 meetings): Toronto FC 3 wins, 14 goals … Fire 3 wins, 14 goals … Ties 3
RETURN MATCH: August 21: Chicago Fire vs. Toronto FC, 7 p.m. on GOL TV Canada
LAST YEAR (MLS):
May 8: Toronto 4-1 Chicago (LaBrocca 24' White 47' Barrett 66' 69' – Pause 51)
Sep 8: Chicago 0-0 Toronto
• The Fire haven’t won in three meetings vs. Toronto FC. The teams played to a second draw in that time at Toyota Park last year; Toronto FC won at BMO Field.
• Toronto FC have yet to win at Bridgeview, the teams playing to three draws there, while the Fire have one win (in 2008).
Coaches' record: Aron Winter v CHI: first game … Carlos de los Cobos vs. TOR: P2 W0 L1 D1
