How to Watch: Toronto FC vs. Vancouver Whitecaps

The Headliner: A Game Toronto FC Should Win

Tonight will be a good test for Toronto FC. After all the pomp and circumstance that accompanied their home opener last weekend, Toronto FC will have to adjust to normal life in MLS. That means there will be less fireworks and probably a smaller crowd.

There may be an emotional drop-off, but nonetheless today's game is very winnable for Toronto FC. The Whitecaps come into the match missing several key players, especially offensively. With both Masato Kudo and Octavio Rivero out of the match, Blas Perez will be relied upon to do most of the team's scoring.

He had a pair of goals, including an incredible bicycle kick winner, against the Chicago Fire midweek. But at the age of 35, putting in two performances like that is unlikely, even if Perez seems to be evergreen.

On top of this, the Whitecaps have been disappointing on the road so far this season. Their only road win of the season came in the third week of the season against a struggling Seattle Sounders side. Their other four road games they have lost against Sporting Kansas City, D.C. United, Real Salt Lake and New York City FC, and outscored 11-5.

Adding to the odds against Vancouver is the fact that they have never won at BMO Field. To be fair, however, they haven't played in Toronto since 2014, a 1-1 draw in which Jermain Defoe and Darren Mattocks traded goals.

Key to the Game: Finishing Their Chances

It's astounding that Toronto FC has only scored two goals in the past two matches. The club had 35 combined shots in their games against the Portland Timbers and FC Dallas. However, due to an incredible effort from Portland keeper Jake Gleeson, and some bad finishing, the club wasted a lot of chances.

It is something they are going to have to fix going forward, and today would be a good time to start. Against a Vancouver Whitecaps team that has some injuries at the back, Toronto FC is bound to have some chances. What they do with those chances is another story.

In this regard, Jozy Altidore is the player to watch in today's match. Altidore did everything but put the ball in the back of the net last week against FC Dallas. But he does not have a single goal this season, and the scrutiny about his play will not end before he finally scores.

Lineups:

Toronto FC: Irwin; Morrow, Moor, Perquis, Beitashour; Bradley, Johnson, Osorio, Endoh; Giovinco, Altidore

Subs: Roberts, Williams, Zavaleta, Morgan, Lovitz, Chapman, Babouli

Vancouver Whitecaps: Ousted; Aird, Parker, Kah, Harvey; Laba, Teibert; Bolanos, Morales, Manneh; Hurtado

More information:

Location: BMO Field, Toronto, Ontario

Kick-off time: 7:30 PM Eastern

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Available TV: TSN1, 3, 4

Available streaming: TSN Go

Available radio: TSN 1050

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