Our prediction for this MLS match:
Atlanta United
Match Time & Date:
04/08/2018
04:00 PM
Prediction: 2-2
Toronto FC
Atlanta United will be looking to build on back-to-back wins over the likes of DC United and Montreal Impact when they welcome Toronto at their Mercedes-Benz Stadium. The Five Stripes remained in top position in the Eastern Conference, but the season is quite long and they need to keep on winning if they are to finish the regular season in the first place in the standings. Tata Martino’s men are likely to stick to their attacking style of play, but seeing that Toronto have found their best form of late, Saturday’s football match will be anything but a walk in the park for the hosts. Toronto look sharper up front with Jozy Altidore and we predict that the title holders are going to find the net in the Mercedes-Benz Stadium showdown. In their last meeting in MLS the two teams played out a 2-2 draw.
Highlighted Player (Josef Martinez):
Josef Martinez started his senior career at Caracas, but he made no more than 36 league appearances for the Venezuelan outfit from 2010 to 2012. Martinez then moved to Europe and the 170-cm tall striker scored 4 goals in 34 appearances for the capital club. In the 2013/2014 season he played for fellow Swiss outfit Thun (on loan) and on June 7, 2014 he signed a contract with Serie A team Torino.
In December, 2017 Josef Martinez scored his first ever goal in the Italian top flight in a 2-2 draw with Palermo. The Venezuela international currently plays (on loan) for Atlanta United in MLS and he made his debut for Gerardo Martino’s team against New York Red Bulls. Speaking of his international career, Martinez made his Venezuela debut against El Salvador, coming from the bench after 76 minutes.
On November 10, 2016 he scored a hat-trick for La Vinotinto in a thrilling 5-0 victory over Bolivia and it has to be noted that he has four caps (two goals) for Venezuela U20 team.
Highlighted Team (Toronto FC):
Toronto is a club based in Canada, but they have been competing in Major League Soccer since 2007. Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment own both the soccer club and National Hockey League’s Toronto Maple Leafs. BMO Field is the club’s home ground and the capacity of the stadium is 30.000.
The Canadian outfit impressed in the 2016 MLS Cup and they faced Seattle Sounders in the title game at BMO Field. However, the Canadians were more than unfortunate not to lift the silverware as they were beaten by the Sounders on penalties.
Speaking of the Canadian Championship, Toronto FC won their fifth domestic title in 2016, with the team beating Vancouver Whitecaps in the final of the tournament. Montreal Impact are considered the club’s biggest rivals and there have always been fireworks in meetings between the two Canadian sides. Toronto FC’s home kit is red and it is no surprise they are nicknamed the Reds. It has to be noted that the club was founded back in 2005.
