Preview: Toronto FC set for massive tilt vs. Atlanta United at BMO Field

When Toronto FC host Atlanta United on Saturday evening at BMO Field, they’ll like their chances.

TFC (4W-8L-3D) head into this weekend’s contest undefeated in five of their last six games, including a massive 4-0 win over CF Montréal in the 2022 Canadian Championship semifinals on Wednesday.

Speaking to reporters after the game, striker Ayo Akinola said that a statement win like Wednesday instills confidence within the group.

“It boosts us,” said striker Ayo Akinola, who netted his first brace of the season in the victory. “Knowing that there's another final again this year that we get to play again next month. I think it's just a statement of character from all of us; it definitely boosts us going into Saturday against Atlanta.”

There’s a new apparent energy surrounding the team, which – perhaps no coincidence – coincides with the arrival of Lorenzo Insigne. The Italian national team star touched down in Toronto on Friday and was greeted with a hero’s welcome. Although Insigne won’t be eligible to play his first game of the season until July 9 vs. the San Jose Earthquakes, having his presence around will certainly be a boost to the team’s overall morale.

Further, the summer transfer window, which officially opens July 7, will be a busy one for TFC, who are in the final stages of securing at least two more signings, with a third also a possibility. The Parleh has learned that one of those signings will be Domenico Criscito, while the team continues to pursue the possibility of bringing in Canadian international Junior Hoilett as well as former fullback Richie Laryea. Mattia Destro was also a name that Toronto has pursued for months.

Bob Bradley’s side are in high spirits heading into Saturday’s clash where they’ll take on an Atlanta United (5W-5L-4D) team who have underperformed through the first 15 games this season.

The Five Stripes sit only four points above TFC and have won only one of their last four league matches. Away from Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta have struggled as well, owning a 1-4-1 on the road this season. To make matters worse for Gonzalo Pineda’s men, eight first-team players have already been ruled out for Saturday, including young DP Thiago Almada, who is serving a suspension for a red card on May 28. Almada was handed an additional two-match ban for “exhibiting aggressive behavior toward and making unwanted physical contact with a match official after Atlanta’s Week 14 match against the Columbus Crew.”

“Atlanta still has a group of skillful players,” said the Toronto FC manager from BMO Training Grounds on Friday afternoon. “They move the ball well, they’ve got some creativity in the way they attack. Josef [Martinez], when he’s on the field, is all about goals. He’s got a mentality to get into the box, get on the end of plays. When he’s healthy, he’s one of the best players in the league. Those are things that we just have to be aware of. The guys here, most of them have had experience playing against Atlanta, so they know those things and we look forward to a big match.”

Amid a congested schedule that will see Toronto play five matches in 15 days, Bradley anticipates he’ll have to manage some of the minutes of his players over the weekend, though only Noble Okello has been officially ruled out.

TFC opened their season-long five-game homestand with a victory on Wednesday against Montréal. Overall, the Reds are 4-3-0 this season at home, and with Insigne’s debut right around the corner, they’re hoping to take advantage of this spell.

“There’s not enough positive things to say about these BMO nights, especially when you’re on the winning side and when you have that feeling that you play well, that you’re supported, you’re on that wave, yeah it’s special,” said goalkeeper Quentin Westberg on Friday. “Never take for granted a BMO night, there’s something special to it. The support of the fans … you feel at home. You feel like a superhero in there.”

Come the end of the season, it may just be these two teams battling it out for a playoff position in the Eastern Conference, making Saturday’s fixture that much more important. It’s a massive game for Toronto FC, who can inch closer to a playoff spot with big-time help on the way.

Kickoff is at 7:30 pm ET.

Predicted TFC Starting XI

 (4-3-3) Westberg; Marshall-Rutty, O’Neill, Salcedo, Petrasso; Pozuelo, Bradley, Nelson; Akinola, Jiménez, Shaffelburg

Injury Reports

Toronto FC: Noble Okello (OUT)

Atlanta United: Ozzie Alonso (OUT), Dylan Castanheira (OUT), Brad Guzan (OUT), Miles Robinson (OUT), Andrew Gutman (OUT), Ronald Hernandez (OUT), Thiago Almada (OUT), Tyler Wolff (OUT), Santiago Sosa (QUESTIONABLE)

Betting Lines

Toronto FC (+200) | Atlanta United (+114) | Draw (+280)