Columbus Crew SC vs. Toronto FC
MAPFRE STADIUM, Columbus, Ohio
July 25, 2015 (MLS Game # 205)
7:30 pm ET (MLS Live, Sportsnet 360, TWCSC-OH)
The second Trillium Cup meeting of the season will take on added urgency when Columbus Crew SC play host to Toronto FC on Saturday evening at Mapfre Stadium. The teams are separated by just three points in the Eastern Conference, with Crew SC sitting in second place and TFC two spots further back. Crew SC come into the match off back-to-back wins vs. the Chicago Fire, last a 3-1 home win on Sunday, while TFC hit the road after putting an end to a three-game winless run in a 2-1 win against Philadelphia Union at BMO Field.
- Kei Kamara scored for a second consecutive match as Crew SC defeated the Chicago Fire for the second time in five days in their 3-1 win Sunday at MAPFRE Stadium. Kamara leads the MLS Golden Boot standings with 14 goals this season.
- Sebastian Giovinco continued his remarkable recent form, as Toronto FC ended a three-game winless streak with a 2-1 win against Philadelphia Union at BMO Field on Saturday. Giovinco scored a goal – his 12th in the season, second in MLS – and added his ninth assist of the season; he has four goals and two assists over the last two games, and has 12 goals and eight assists on TFC’s last 24 goals, dating back to April 4.
- The teams are meeting for the second time this season. Justin Meram and Kei Kamara scored four minutes apart to lead Crew SC to a 2-0 win March 14 at MAPFRE Stadium.
- The win in the first meeting was Crew SC’s first at home in the series since 2013. TFC have won just three matches all-time in Columbus – two of those coming a season ago. Toronto FC have won their last two home meetings with the Crew, their first ever in the series, after three losses and five draws over the first six-plus seasons.
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REFEREE: Fotis Bazakos. AR1 (bench): Brian Poeschel; AR2 (opposite): Peter Balciunas; 4th: Tyler Ploeger MLS Career: 43 games; FC/gm: 26.4; Y/gm: 3.6; R: 8; pens: 15
SUSPENDED: none
WARNINGS:
SUSPENDED NEXT YELLOW CARD: CLB: Mohammed Saeid … TOR: Nick Hagglund, Collen Warner
SUSPENDED AFTER TWO YELLOW CARDS: CLB: Kevan George, Hector Jimenez, Emanuel Pogatetz, Waylon Francis, Kei Kamara, Justin Meram, Federico Higuain, Tony Tchani … TOR: Warren Creavalle
DISABLED LIST: none
INTERNATIONAL ABSENCES: TOR: Michael Bradley (USA, CONCACAF Gold Cup)
HEAD-TO-HEAD
ALL-TIME (23 meetings): Crew SC 11 wins, 36 goals … Toronto FC 5 wins, 27 goals … Ties 7
AT COLUMBUS (13 meetings): Crew SC 8 wins, 24 goals … Toronto FC 3 wins, 16 goals … Ties 2
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CHECK OUT THE DISCIPLINARY REPORT HEADING INTO THE MATCH