Loss of key players could take its toll on Toronto

MLS
12.30am Thursday

This looks like a good time to be taking on Eastern Conference powers Toronto as absentees are limiting coach Greg Vanney’s options.

While the Gold Cup has left Orlando City pretty much unscathed, it’s taken its toll on Toronto.

Key figures like Justin Morrow and Armando Cooper are away with the United States and Panama respectively while Canada have drafted in a number of first-teamers, including Tosaint Ricketts and Jonathan Osorio. And wingback Steven Beitashour is injured.

The Orlando defence get no respite from the Sebastian Giovinco-Jozy Altidore strike double and Toronto have bags of class in their squad.

But following a 3-1 loss at Dallas which saw the reigning conference champions knocked off top spot, the fourth-placed Florida outfit have to fancy their chances of landing a significant blow at Orlando City Stadium.

They’ll be pleased that the goals appear to have dried up for Altidore though Giovinco is on a run of seven in his last nine to make amends.

But the Canadian outfit are definitely some way off the pace they were setting earlier in the season.

This is also a sixth game in 19 days for Toronto and they may be feeling the pace.

Orlando, meanwhile, are simply feeling good after rounding off a three-match road trip with a 1-0 win at Real Salt Lake. It was a sixth clean sheet of the season for Lions cat Joe Bendick and a real morale-booster for centre-backs Jose Aja and Jonathan Spector.

Recommendation
Orlando
1pt 6-4 Betfair