Orlando City vs Toronto FC Match Preview and Analysis

Image credits: MLS Soccer

The Orlando City vs Toronto FC match is set to take place on Saturday, March 1, at Inter&Co Stadium, with the Lions looking to bounce back from a tough 4-2 loss to Philadelphia in their season opener. Toronto FC, on the other hand, is coming off a 2-2 draw against DC United and will be looking to build on that result. The two teams have a long history, with Orlando City holding a slight edge in the all-time series, having won 9 matches to Toronto's 8, with 3 draws.

Orlando City will be without several key players, including Duncan McGuire, Wilder Cartagena, Yutaro Tsukada, and Favian Loyola, who are all injured. Captain Robin Jansson is also listed as questionable after being a late scratch last week. Despite these injuries, the Lions have a strong lineup, with Pedro Gallese in goal, Rafael Santos, Rodrigo Schlegel, Kyle Smith, and Alex Freeman in defense, and Ivan Angulo, Cesar Araujo, Eduard Atuesta, Marco Pasalic, and Martin Ojeda in midfield and attack.

Toronto FC, meanwhile, will be looking to build on their strong performance in their season opener, with Sean Johnson in goal, Henry Wingo, Kevin Long, Sigurd Rosted, and Richie Laryea in defense, and Markus Cimermancic, Deybi Flores, Alonso Coello, and Federico Bernardeschi in midfield, and Theo Corbeanu and Jonathan Osorio up front. The Reds will be without Nicksoen Gomis, who is injured, and Ola Brynhildsen, who is still working on his fitness.

The match is expected to be a closely contested one, with both teams looking to get their first win of the season. Orlando City will be looking to improve their defense, which was leaky in their season opener, while Toronto FC will be looking to build on their strong performance in their opener. The Lions will also be looking to get their first win at home this season, after losing to Philadelphia in their opener.

Here are the predicted lineups for the two teams:

• Orlando City: Pedro Gallese, Alex Freeman, Rodrigo Schlegel, Kyle Smith, Rafael Santos, Ivan Angulo, Cesar Araujo, Eduard Atuesta, Marco Pasalic, Martin Ojeda, Ramiro Enrique
• Toronto FC: Sean Johnson, Henry Wingo, Kevin Long, Sigurd Rosted, Richie Laryea, Markus Cimermancic, Deybi Flores, Alonso Coello, Federico Bernardeschi, Theo Corbeanu, Jonathan Osorio