DC United vs. Toronto FC | 2020 MLS Match Preview

2020 MLS Regular Season – Week 12
D.C. United vs. Toronto FC
Audi Field – Washington, D.C.
September 19 – 7:30 PM ET

TV: TSN

STREAMING: MLS LIVE on ESPN+ in US, on DAZN in Canada

LOCAL TV: WJLA 24/7 News

For the first time since a spirited 2-2 draw at the MLS is Back Tournament, which included a post-match skirmish, D.C. United and Toronto FC square off at Audi Field Saturday night.

D.C. United's (2W-5L-4D) struggles continued with a 2-0 home defeat to the New York Red Bulls Saturday, while Toronto FC (6W-2L-3D) are coming off a dramatic 2-1 win over the rival Montreal Impact.

Federico Higuain came off the bench to score twice in the final six minutes to cancel out Ayo Akinola's two first-half goals as 10-man D.C. United rallied to earn a 2-2 draw with Toronto FC in Orlando July 13.

D.C. United

D.C. were more attack-oriented, but still came away without a goal for a second straight game in a frustrating 2-0 home defeat to a New York Red Bulls team they beat in New Jersey a week earlier.

“As a coach, you’re always worried about your team's mentality and morale and trying to pick them up when on a day like this where you feel a little bit like we deserved more and we're still searching for the goals,” Ben Olsen said after the game. “So, yeah, always concerned with that, you're always taking that temperature. But I've been around enough to hopefully keep the morale somewhat high.

“But it's OK if we're pissed off and we're upset because we're not in a great spot right now, as a group, but we also still have to be realistic and understand that there was some positives out of this game. But we also have to point out some of the negatives and get better and try to improve and finish off some plays and get a little bit more scary on offense and continue to try to be the team that can put up shutouts.”

"It's interesting how those stories take shape, but to me the story was from a coaching standpoint, a team that was down five, six starters, with some young guys in an unfamiliar structure, doing what it takes to get points in a very tough league against two very tough opponents," he said. "And I don't understand why sometimes the narrative is geared always towards the offensive side and a lack of appreciation for a group that is willing to defend and grind and do what it takes within what they have to offer, to get a result. I'm used to that. We've won games with one shot. I think we broke records with one shot to win games, I think we even had an own goal, where we had 0 shots and we won on an own goal. So, we continue to break records around here."

Updated team roster
Injury Report:
- OUT: Paul Arriola (M) - ACL injury
- OUT: Edison Flores (M) - facial injury
- OUT: Russell Canouse (D) - hamstring injury
- OUT: Felipe (M) - ACL injury
- QUESTIONABLE: Steven Birnbaum (D) - undisclosed injury
Suspended: None
Suspended after next caution: None
International duty: None

Toronto FC

Jozy Altidore struck late, shushed the socially distant crowd at Stade Saputo and it appeared Toronto FC had all but booked their ticket into the Canadian Championship final. But a Montreal Impact win over the Vancouver Whitecaps in the first of back-to-back games at BC Place have put Thierry Henry's squad a win away from taking that spot. Go Caps Go, say Toronto FC.

Toronto FC have acquired defender Tony Gallacher on loan from English champions Liverpool FC, the club announced Monday. Gallacher has already completed quarantine, the club added.

Gallacher, 21, has made 32 appearances for Liverpool’s U-23 team, scoring two goals with one assist over two seasons as well as one game with the senior side in a League Cup loss to Aston Villa last year. Gallacher is a natural left back and has represented Scotland at various youth levels including U-16, U-17 and U-19.

Updated team roster
Injury Report:
- OUT: Achara (M) - ACL injury
- OUT: Liam Fraser (M) - undisclosed injury
- OUT: Michael Bradley (M) - Grade 2 MCL strain
Suspended: None
Suspended after next caution: None
International duty: None