2020 MLS Regular Season – Week 17
FC Cincinnati vs. Toronto FC
Nippert Stadium – Cincinnati
October 11 – 7:30 PM ET
TV: TSN2
STREAMING: MLS LIVE on ESPN+ in US
LOCAL TV: Star64
Supporters' Shield race-leading Toronto FC look to remain hot when they head to Nippert Stadium to take on FC Cincinnati Sunday night.
Toronto FC (10W-2L-4D) extended an unbeaten streak to six matches with a fourth straight win, beating the New England Revolution 1-0 Wednesday night, while FC Cincinnati (3W-9L-4D) are now goalless in four straight matches following a 3-0 defeat to the Philadelphia Union.
Powered by goals by Patrick Mullins, Nick DeLeon and Marky Delgado inside the opening half hour, Toronto FC cruised to a 5-1 victory in the only other meeting at Nippert Stadium last September.
FC Cincinnati
It's now three consecutive shutout defeats for offensively-starved FC Cincinnati, which conceded three times in the last half hour to fall to the Union at Subaru Park.
"Again, giving the late goals for free, which makes it very hard to win games," Jaap Stam said after the match. " f you see how we play, and I must give the team a compliment for the majority of the game, keeping possession and holding possession. Opposition having it very difficult to handle how we play going forward."
- Updated team roster
- Injury Report:
- OUT: Jimmy McLaughlin (M) - ankle injury
- OUT: Greg Garza (D) - undisclosed injury
- OUT: Andrew Gutman (D) - undisclosed injury
- OUT: Jurgen Locadia (F) - undisclosed injury
- Suspended: None
- Suspended after next caution: Kendall Waston (D)
- International duty: None
Toronto FC
Ayo Akinola struck in the first half and Toronto FC dodged a second-half bullet when Adam Buksa skied his penalty kick attempt as Greg Vanney's side escaped Gillette Stadium with a 1-0 win over the Revs Wednesday night. The win, coupled with Columbus' shock defeat to Montreal, moved TFC into first place in the East as well as the Supporters' Shield standings.
“Tonight is a different kind of proud with this group,” Vanney said after the match. “This is a tough place to play – it hasn't been friendly to us over the years – and this was a tough game.”
“This was a scrap it out, battle for every inch kind of a game,” he added. “You have to protect your goal, protect your box, you're fighting for space just to move the ball and be patient, we're trying to break on the counter sometimes.”
- Updated team roster
- Injury Report:
- OUT: Achara (M) - ACL injury
- OUT: Michael Bradley (M) - Grade 2 MCL strain
- OUT: Justin Morrow (D) - calf strain
- OUT: Jozy Altidore (F) - hamstring strain
- OUT: Alex Bono (GK) - undisclosed injury
- Suspended: None
- Suspended after next caution: Auro Jr. (D)
- International duty: None
Series Matchup at FC Cincinnati
- This is the second all-time meeting between FC Cincinnati and Toronto FC at Nippert Stadium. Toronto FC won 5-1 Sept. 7, 2019.
Officials
- Referee: Robert Sibiga
- Assistant Referees: Peter Manikowski, Jeffrey Greeson
- 4th Official: Thomas Snyder
- VAR: Sorin Stoica
