Music: {allcanada} Toronto FC looks to rebound in Windy City

Saturday, August 4, 2012

{allcanada} Toronto FC looks to rebound in Windy City

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The match

Chicago Fire vs. Toronto FC

Date and Location

Saturday, August 4 at 8:30 p.m. ET, Chicago's Toyota Park

Setting the scene

The Reds come into this match with a bit of momentum, having destroyed Club Deportivo Aguila 5-1 midweek in the CONCACAF Champions League.

But Chicago promises to be a tougher test for the Reds than the modest Salvadoran side -- the Fire sit in fifth place in the Eastern Conference, 13 points ahead of last-place Toronto.

"This is going to be a better quality (opponent) that we're going to see with Chicago. They're doing pretty well this season," Toronto forward Ryan Johnson said. "If we're going to make a playoff push we have to beat teams in their home and it is going to start with Chicago."

TFC have put in some uneven performances lately.

Although brilliant against Aguila, they were dire in a 2-0 home loss to the Houston Dynamo last weekend.

Finding and maintaining a level of consistency has been a challenge for the Reds all season. Part of the problem is that they sometimes give their opponent too much space in midfield to operate. The key, Johnson explained, is to press teams and don't give them as much time on the ball.

"We just have to bring the intensity," Johnson said. "Kind of push up the team a little bit forward and don't give them time on the ball. That's one of the things we did the last time against Houston.

"We gave them too much time on the ball and allowed them to play the ball anywhere they wanted and that's something we have to stop against Chicago."

News and notes

Toronto signed Darren O'Dea on Friday, but the Irish centre-back will not be available to play against Chicago... Forward Eric Hassli (ankle sprain) is questionable for TFC , while the Fire will be without defender Cory Gibbs (knee injury). Fellow defender Steven Kinney (abductor sprain) is doubtful... Toronto defenders Richard Eckersley and Ashtone Morgan have four yellow cards this season, and will earn an automatic one-game suspension if they earn a caution on Saturday… TFC has never won in Chicago, losing twice and drawing three times… Chicago leads the all-time series with five wins and four draws in 12 meetings against Toronto... These teams will meet again on Sept. 12 in Toronto.

Player to watch for Toronto

Luis Silva: The rookie midfielder has really come on lately, and his confidence is riding high after scoring one goal and setting up two more in Toronto's midweek win over Aguila.

Player to watch for Chicago

Dominic Oduro: The Ghanaian striker leads the Fire in scoring this season with five goals, and is one of the quickest players in the league.

Key matchup

Oduro vs. TFC defence: TFC coach Paul Mariner has already warned his players about Oduro's explosive pace. Expect the back four to play a deep line so as not to get caught out and burned by the Chicago forward.

The Toronto perspective

"It's good for our confidence. Going into Chicago, it's a big game for us, and (Wednesday's win over Aguila) helps everybody. We had a lot of opportunities in the offensive area and this will make us more comfortable on Saturday when we're in those positions. We found each other's feet, as opposed to the last game." -- Toronto forward Ryan Johnson

The Chicago perspective

"I regard Eric Hassli as one of the top target men in this league. Realistically, I think they have quite a few players that are attacking weapons. Ryan Johnson is an absolute handful. They have a couple guys on the wings with pace and technical ability." – Chicago defender Dan Gargan told the team's official website.

What's next

Toronto returns to MLS action next Saturday when it visits the Columbus Crew.