Game Thread: Toronto FC vs. Sporting Kansas City

The Headliner: A Dream Start

Toronto FC have never had results in their first three games of a Major League Soccer season. They have the opportunity to make that happen today with a victory over Sporting Kansas City at Children's Mercy Park.

Should that happen it would only continue what has been a very positive start from the club, after picking up at least one unlikely result from their trip to New York. The team now has four of the minimum eight points which is expected from this opening season road trip.

A win tonight, however, would be a big ask especially with Drew Moor being ruled out prior to the match due to illness. The veteran centreback has been the anchor of Toronto's backline through the first two games and a big reason why the club has as many points as it does. Jonathan Osorio will also miss the game with a knee strain.

Toronto will have to hope that the injury list giveth just as it taketh away, and that Jozy Altidore's presence will help the club in Moor's absence. Evidently the two play different positions, but when fit Altidore is a big enough player to shift the momentum of a match. How much he plays, and to what degree remains to be seen.

Moor's illness is a big blow regardless, but it is especially big against Sporting Kansas City who are one of the most difficult opponent's TFC will meet on this road trip. They currently sit second in the Western Conference, and are undefeated through two games.

Toronto FC have not beat Sporting Kansas City since 2013, and they have never beat them away from home.

Key to the Match: Keeping it clean

While Toronto FC will be happy with four points from their first two games, they likely will have felt they could have had more at Yankee Stadium last weekend. The club came from behind 2-0 to tie the game 2-2, but put themselves in a bad situation early. 

Marky Delgado gave Sporting Kansas City a penalty, and poor defending (and a handball but that is irrelevant at this point), gave New York City FC that two goal lead. Toronto cannot afford to make similar mistakes today, or else they could end up losing, and even losing big.

If they can stay smart and organized for the full 90 minutes they will have a good chance at taking points off of SKC. With Sebastian Giovinco, and potentially Altidore, in the lineup all bets are off as to what they can produce offensively.

Lineups:

Toronto FC: Irwin, Morrow, Perquis, Williams, Beitashour, Cheyrou, Johnson, Bradley, Endoh, Delgado, Giovinco

Subs: Roberts, Morgan, Hagglund, Zavaleta, Chapman, Babouli, Altidore

Sporting Kansas City: Melia, Dia, Besler, Coelho, Myers, Mustivar, Quintilla, Espinoza, Zusi, Hallisey, Dwyer

Game Information:

Location: Children's Mercy Stadium, Kansas City

Kick-off time: 7:00 PM Eastern

SB Nation OPPOSITION Blog: The Blue Testament

Available TV: TSN2

Available streaming: TSN GO

Available radio: TSN 1050

For listings in other countries, check out LiveSoccerTV.com.