The last game between Crew and Toronto FC, a 1-0 loss to Columbus in early October, marked the end of a difficult first year with coach Caleb Porter, who also ended a 13-game streak advising the team not to stay long. outdoors the postseason.
Once Porter finished reorganizing the list with some key low-season acquisitions, there was an explanation as to why the team had the portions to be a contender for the black horse championship.
Nearly a year and a pandemic later, the Crew (9-1-3, 30 points) have a five-point lead, first in the Supporters’ Shield career with 10 games remaining as contenders for MVP in the league. . Defender of the Year Awards.
At the start of Sunday’s match against Toronto FC (7-2-4, 25 points) in East Hartford, Connecticut, Porter called the defending East Conference champion the favorite to win more than once because, he said, crew has yet to win nothing. .
Starting a stretch with six of the next 8 games on the road, the team can integrate with just over one team that many expect to compete for first position in the East over the next six weeks leading up to the postseason.
“We’ve learned where we are,” Porter said. We have to prepare to beat the groups we know will be in and around the MLS Cup, and this is one of the clubs and one of the games.
The return of Lucas Zelarayan and the resurgence of Pedro Santos have minimized, if not eliminated, the effect of Darlington Nagbe’s disappearance over the next two to three weeks Zelarayan and Santos combined on both targets in a 2-1 Minnesota United victory Wednesday at Mapfre Stadium.
MORE: Columbus Crew offensive has a tendency to accumulate with more performances by Pedro Santos
With their leading organization, the team demonstrated that they can get a result on any night, but at the start of their third game in nine days, like Toronto, it is unlikely that any of the teams will play with their leading organization because they want to rotate players and keep them healthy.
“I think it’s a little embarrassing that the game is a component of the calendar, as it’s the third game of the week where there are two groups that are the most sensible to play,” Porter said. it’s going to be a vital thing in the game, just who can play, who deserves to play, because it’s a great game. Obviously, it’s a six-point swing. “
Toronto midfielder Michael Bradley has missed the last four games with a tier 2 MCL strain and is expected to miss Sunday’s game at The Rentschler Field at the University of Connecticut due to Canadian quarantine regulations for travel.
Toronto has an MVP candidate at midfielder Alejandro Pozuelo. The Spaniard has five goals with 8 assists in the MLS in thirteen games.
After beating an East contender this month at the Philadelphia Union, the team must be confident no matter which player starts in opposition to Toronto.
“We want the games before the playoffs, and if we want to be the most productive, we have to beat the most productive ones,” Porter said. “I would say Toronto is one of the most productive groups in the league. “
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