MLS Matchweek 12 Preview: Canada vs. Florida | OneFootball

This weekend’s MLS slate kicks off with two matchups between the north and the south. More specifically, Canada vs. Florida. On paper, these games couldn’t be more different. Toronto FC host Inter Miami in a clash between two high-spending playoff teams. Conversely, CF Montréal host Orlando City in a battle between two clubs that have really struggled to start the season.

Let’s get into the fixtures.

Toronto FC vs. Inter Miami

Kickoff: 1:00pm ET/10:00am PTBMO Field, Toronto, CanadaWatch on Apple TV

Toronto come into this match winless in their last 6 games. However, last weekend they did hold Supporters’ Shield leaders San Jose Earthquakes to a 1-1 draw that would’ve been a 2-1 win if not for a crazy goal line clearance by Quakes defender Reid Roberts that looked like it probably should’ve been a goal.

The main storyline for TFC as of late has been their seemingly endless injury report. 10 first teamers are out injured, including both DPs in Sargent and Mihailovic as well as several other important players such as Cifuentes and Laryea. As a result of this injury crisis, a heavily rotated Toronto side that featured 3 first team debuts were knocked out of the Canadian Championship by Atlético Ottawa on Tuesday. They’ll try to regroup and end this 10 game home stand on a positive note, but face a tough task with Lionel Messi coming to town.

Inter Miami will be determined to put things right this weekend after a stunning loss to rivals Orlando City last time out. Interim manager Guillermo Hoyos isn’t worried despite his side blowing a 3-0 lead in that derby loss, saying that “there’s no drama” and that “losses help the team grow.” Despite this, there will be pressure on Inter Miami to bounce back from their derby disappointment.

It hasn’t been as straightforward a start as they might’ve anticipated, with last year’s defensive problems persisting and the unexpected departure of manager Javier Mascherano. New netminder Dayne St. Clair, last season’s MLS Goalkeeper of the Year recipient, has struggled to maintain his level and has the 4th lowest Goals Added of any keeper in the league. It hasn’t been all bad for Miami, who still sit 3rd in the East and have been able to score goals at will. Lionel Messi has been brilliant as always and now has some help in the attack, with big-money signing Germán Berterame registering a goal contribution in 5 straight matches before blanking in the loss to Orlando.

Ultimately, Toronto’s long list of absences will catch up to them in this match against an Inter Miami team in need of a positive response to last week’s collapse. Look for Messi to find the back of the net himself and set up Berterame for another.

Prediction: Toronto FC 1-2 Inter Miami

CF Montréal vs. Orlando City

Kickoff: 4:30pm ET/1:30pm PTStade Saputo, Montréal, CanadaWatch on Apple TV

It’s no secret that CF Montréal are a club in disarray, but recently they’ve been able to find some success at home. Their last 2 MLS home matches were both wins over New York clubs, beating RBNY 4-1 and NYCFC 1-0. They also just cruised to a 5-0 home win over Calgary Blizzard in the Canadian Championship on Wednesday.

Prince Owusu doesn’t get much media attention but has been one of the best players in MLS despite his team’s struggles, already scoring 6 goals and providing 5 assists. In fact, only 3 of Montréal’s MLS goals have come without an Owusu goal contribution. As that stat suggests, Owusu has practically been a one-man team. The defense has been leaking goals and the midfield has struggled to control the game. In the attack, wingers Ivan Jaime and Wiki Carmona have had some bright moments but the end product has lacked. Montréal don’t get many chances but are usually clinical when they do, ranking last in MLS in big chances missed with only 4.

Orlando City are finding momentum of their own. Like their opponents, they’ve won 3 of their last 4 games and that incredible derby comeback against Inter Miami has the potential to be a season-defining turning point. With that, it’s now crucial that they continue to build on their recent run of form.

Designated Player Martín Ojeda will be the X factor, with the Argentinian #10 outdueling his counterpart Leo Messi last time out with a hat trick against the Herons. Ojeda also scored a brace in Orlando’s 4-1 win over Charlotte that started the hot streak. He and Justin Ellis have formed a formidable partnership up top, with the 18 year old taking the league by storm with 2 goals and 3 assists in his last 4 games.

Orlando’s defense is still a major issue and I expect Prince Owusu to be able to exploit that, but it’s hard to bet against a team that just came back from down 3-0 to beat last year’s champions 4-3. Ojeda and company will keep rolling with a win in Québec, meaning that Florida will emerge victorious in both matchups against Canada.

Prediction: CF Montréal 1-3 Orlando City