Preview: Toronto vs. Vancouver Whitecaps - prediction, team news, lineups

Looking to bounce back from a heavy defeat to CF Montreal on the opening day, Toronto take on Vancouver Whitecaps at the Exploria Stadium on Saturday in Major League Soccer action.

The Reds suffered a 4-2 away defeat last Saturday, while the visitors kicked off their season with a win away at Portland Timbers.

Match preview

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Toronto suffered a disappointing defeat last time out, as they travelled to take on CF Montreal in the opening game of the MLS season.

The hosts took a 2-0 lead early on through Mason Toye and Romell Quioto, but Marco Delgado pulled a goal back for his side on the stroke of half time from the penalty spot.

Montreal would then boost their lead in the second half through Victor Wanyama and Dorde Mihailovic, while Richie Laryea's late strike was nothing more than a consolation for the visitors.

While their domestic season got off to a disappointing start, Chris Armas's side did pick up a very positive result beforehand, advancing to the final eight of the CONCACAF Champions League with a 3-2 aggregate victory over Mexican outfit Club Leon.

Toronto withstood intense pressure in the away leg and escaped with a 1-1 draw thanks to an Andres Mosqueira Guardia own goal in the second half, before Patrick Mullins and Justin Morrow fired them to a 2-1 victory in the second leg in Florida to book their place in the quarter-finals.

Armas's men will now look to put their first league win on the board after the defeat last Saturday.

They take on a Vancouver Whitecaps side who got off to a strong start last time out, defeating Portland Timbers 1-0 at home.

In a fairly quiet match, Lucas Cavallini made the difference soon after half time, netting the only goal of the game to give his side a winning start to the domestic campaign.

Marc Dos Santos's side narrowly missed out on the MLS playoffs last season, finishing in ninth spot in the Eastern Conference with 27 points from 23 league games.

They will look to improve on that and book their spot in the top seven this season, a bid that would be majorly boosted by back-to-back victories to start the season.

Team News

Toronto have been hit with a major injury crisis in recent weeks, with eight players absent from their opening game.

Midfielders Alejandro Pozuelo and Jonathan Osorio both remain out of action, while centre-backs Chris Mavinga and Julian Dunn are also absent.

They are not the end of Armas's injury worries either, as the forward line has taken a major hit with Jozy Altidore, Ifunanyachi Achara and Erickson Gallardo all out of Saturday's encounter.

As a result, Armas could have to stick with a similar lineup to the side that lost to Montreal, given the lack of options.

Meanwhile, Vancouver's will be without left-back Ali Adnan, while defender Erik Godoy and forward Tosaint Rickets will both miss out through injury.

Lucas Cavallini will lead the line for Dos Santos's side, having netted his first goal of the season in the win on the opening day.

Toronto possible starting lineup:
Bono; Laryea, Singh, Gonzalez, Auro; Bradley, Priso; Delgado, Okello, Shaffelburg; Mullins

Vancouver Whitecaps possible starting lineup:
Crepeau; Nerwinski, Veselinovic, Rose, Gutierrez; Caicedo, Bikel, Baldisimo, Teibert; Dajome, Cavallini

We say: Toronto 1-1 Vancouver Whitecaps

In normal circumstances, Toronto would come into this clash as firm favourites, but the differing starts of the sides and the major injury list should put the visitors on a level playing field.

Vancouver will come in with some confidence following their victory last time out, and should be able to get a result against a depleted Toronto side.