The Black & Gold continue the busy month of May by hitting the road to take on Toronto FC in the Trillium Cup finale at BMO Field on Friday, May 26, for a 7 p.m. ET kickoff — their third and final matchup in the 2017 Major League Soccer regular season. Here's what to watch:
Third Time’s the Charm
Friday’s 7 p.m. ET kickoff at BMO Field will mark the final meeting of the season between the two Eastern Conference clubs, Columbus Crew SC and Toronto FC. The two teams have split their first two meetings this year, with Crew SC winning the first match 2-1 on April 15 before Toronto reversed the outcome to win 2-1 on May 10. Both meetings this season have taken place at MAPFRE Stadium, but this week the Black & Gold will head north for the final leg of the 2017 Trillium Cup.
Big Shoes to Fill
Toronto's top two goal scorers will be out for Friday’s match — Sebastian Giovinco due to injury and Jozy Altidore due to yellow card accumulation. This could play in the Black & Gold’s favor, but Toronto is unbeaten in their last seven home games and will still have plenty of capable replacements for Friday’s match. Some key players to watch include:
Michael Bradley (Midfielder)
Bradley is a key playmaker and captain for Toronto and known for his successful passes and strong finishes. The Designated Player is a seasoned professional who, according to Opta, leads all MLS players (including keepers) with 153 recoveries this season, making him the only field player with more than 110 recoveries (seven keepers have more than 110 recoveries). Bradley also has an 86.4 successful passing percentage.
Justin Morrow (Defender)
Morrow has tallied two goals and one assist for the Reds this season. The 29-year-old is known for his short, quick passes and his versatility as a left sider who can play left back, left wingback, and left center back.
Tosaint Ricketts (Forward)
Ricketts netted the pair of game-killing goals that produced TFC's 2-1 win over the Crew SC during their last meeting on May 10. The Canadian has now netted a total of three goals this season for the Reds. Ricketts is a dangerous player to watch due to his speed and precision.
The Last Dance
Friday’s match will be the last time the two teams will meet in regular season, and it will be final leg in the race for the 2017 Trillium Cup. Although Toronto is unbeaten in its last seven matches, the Black & Gold, who hold an overall 13-7-10 all-time regular-season record over the Reds, are the only team to have beat Toronto this year.
Crew SC will next travel north for the final leg of the Trillium Cup against Toronto FC on Friday, May 26 at 7 p.m. ET.
