FC Cincinnati face struggling Toronto FC
Coming off a breakthrough victory, FC Cincinnati will try to hold off another team in desperate need of a victory Saturday when they face Toronto FC in Orlando, Fla.
FC Cincinnati (2-5-1, 7 points) are coming off a 1-0 road result over the Chicago Fire on Wednesday. Alvaro Barreal scored his second goal of the season, delivering a highlight-reel curl on a free kick inside the near post in the 50th minute.
Barreal's spectacular effort was the only score of the game as Cincinnati put 12 shots on goal, a team record in two-plus seasons of MLS play. Though more finishing quality is still a necessity, getting even one goal brought some relief considering the club went scoreless on 35 shots in its previous two games (both losses).
"We fought it out and the message after the game was we made it difficult on ourselves," FCC defender Geoff Cameron said. "We put the opportunities away and then we close the game out and it's no problem. That comes with that ruthless mentality and that comes with a little bit more composure, and the details of the finish."
For Toronto FC, closing out games has been an issue, especially in last Wednesday's 3-2 loss to Nashville SC. Toronto (1-6-2, 5 points) surrendered two leads in the game, and conceded two goals to Nashville's Luke Haakenson after the 82nd minute.
Toronto is winless (0-4-1) in five games and is stuck in its first four-game losing streak since the 2015 season. The team hasn't lost five consecutive games since 2013.
"We're hitting our storm early in the year here," coach Chris Armas said. "We'll be stronger for it in the end but yeah, it's frustrating. That's the emotion. But disappointing to have the points and let it go."
Toronto might be without two of its top attackers on Saturday. Alejandro Pozuelo (halftime) and Jonathan Osorio (59 minutes) both made early exits from Wednesday's game due to "tight hamstrings," according to Armas.
All seven of Cincinnati's points have come in road games (2-2-1) this season.
--Field Level Media
