DC United vs. Toronto FC Prediction, Preview and Odds - 7/3/21
DC United vs. Toronto 7-2
DC United suffered a tough loss in their last match and they now host a reeling Toronto FC club.
Toronto FC has not only lost their last five matches but they are winless in their last six matches. The team is tied with Chicago with the fewest points in the MLS (5) and in 10 matches they only have one win. Toronto has a goal differential of -8 on the season and while their attack has not been bad, their defense has giving up the most goals in the league.
DC United is 1-1-1 in their last three matches and in their last match they lost it very late. The team is in the middle of the pack in the Eastern Conference and that is not a surprise with a goal differential of -3.
Defense Has Been Especially Bad as of Late
The Toronto defense has not been good all season but has really struggled as of late. They have given up at least two goals in their last four matches and have given up three in two of them. In their last game they were blanked losing to Cincinnati 2-0 and that was at home no less. In the last match with Cincy both teams had nearly equal time of possession but Toronto only had three shots and only one shot on target. Toronto was a little shorthanded in the match with all three of their Designated Players in Yeferson Soteldo, Jozy Altidore, and Alejandro Pozuelo not available.
For the DC United match, MF Pozuelo is listed as questionable, MF Soteldo is probable, and FW Altidore is out. Jonathan Osorio and Ayo Akinola have combined for five goals and they are the only Toronto players that have multiple goals. Patrick Mullins is the only player with more than one assist with two of them.
Take Advantage of a Slumping FC
DC United is not in top form in their last three matches and they look to get three points beating a slumping Toronto FC club, who they have not beaten in their last five matches. In United’s last match they were on the road and lost to New York City FC 2-1 where they gave up the game-winning goal five minutes into injury time. Nigel Robertha scored the lone goal for United, who gave up both goals in the match after the 83rd minute. DC United almost held on even though they were dominated in time of possession 64% to 36% and they only had four shots on target while NYCFC had seven.
The defender duo of Jacob Green and Michael DeShields are both questionable for the match with Toronto. DC United’s defense has not been bad on the season but they have only scored 10 goals in 11 matches and have only scored two goals in their last three matches. Ola Kamara is the only player on the club with multiple goals (4) and Adrien Perez is the only one with multiple assists (2).
Trends
DC United are:
NA
Toronto FC are:
0-5-0 in their last five matches
0-5-1 in their last 6 matches
Pick: DC United -118
After scoring three goals in a win DC United is 1-1-1 in their last three matches where they only scored two goals. Their attack has been struggling for most of the season but that looks to change facing a Toronto club that has conceded the most goals in the MLS. Toronto has lost their last five matches and in their last four matches they have given up 10 goals. Their play in the mid-field has been decent but they simply have lacked scoring chances. Look for that to continue in this game on the road facing a United team that is desperate for a win. I see a cautious game from both teams but at home, DC United will secure three points with a win playing solid defense and sending Toronto to their sixth straight loss.
Total: Under 2.5 goals.
I am leaning towards the Under in this match even though the Over pick has been the winning one in the last few for Toronto. While they have given up the most goals in the MLS this season, they face a DC United team that has only scored two goals in their last three matches and has averaged less than a goal a game for the season. I see this match being played in the mid-field with neither team having many scoring chances. DC United will breakthrough and score but I do not see them scoring multiple goals and I would not be surprised if Toronto was shut out for the second straight match. In this Eastern Conference affair, the Under is the pick.
