Our prediction for this MLS match:
Portland Timbers
Match Time & Date:
29/08/2018
10:30 PM
Prediction: 2-1
Toronto FC
The defeat against the in-form Seattle Sounders was Portland’s fourth straight defeat in the last five games, two of which came at home. They will be hoping for a better result at Providence Park this Thursday, where they will play Toronto, who are also struggling in the table but have shown improvement as of late. Toronto lost only one of their last five games, and the one they lost was against the third team in the table, New York City. Still, Portland will try to show the form they had before these last four losses, where they were undefeated in 15 games. The fans will look for Diego Valeri to continue his scoring from midfield this season and help Samuel Armenteros in attack. Even though Toronto is on a solid run in the last five matches, Portland have 10 more points in the table this season and are narrow favorites to pick up all three points in this match.
Highlighted Player (Sebastian Giovinco):
Sebastian Giovinco is the Italian football ace who plays for Toronto FC as a forward. His side position is attacking midfielder and he is undisputedly the team’s key player. Giovinco began his senior career at Juventus and he played for the likes of Empoli and Parma on loan during his spell at Serie A as well.
The 162-cm tall footballer joined Toronto on January 19, 2015 and he has been playing for the Canadian outfit ever since. Giovinco scored 21 goals in 34 league fixtures in the 2016 MLS campaign and he is likely to play an important role in Greg Vanney’s team in the 2017 season.
The Italian star made his debut for the Azzurri on February 9, 2011 in a 1-1 draw with Germany in Dortmund and it has to be noted that he won a silver medal with Italy national football team at the 2012 European Championship. Sebastian Giovinco was born in Turin on January 26, 1987 and in May 2013 his wife Shari gave birth to their first child Jacopo.
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.
