Game Thread: FC Dallas 3-0 Toronto FC

58’ FC Dallas 3-0 Toronto FC — And Dominique Badji adds to the lead with a good finish off a counter attack. TFC just want this night to end.

51’ FC Dallas 2-0 Toronto FC — Oh. Matheus Bressan puts the home side further ahead.

46’ — Alejandro Pozuelo will enter the game for Laurent Ciman. The Reds could certainly use him.

HT — Welp, could be worse, but not the worst for a fairly shorthanded TFC side.

41’ FC Dallas 1-0 Toronto FC — Welp. Dom Badji puts FC Dallas ahead. He's had a few good looks tonight.

15’ — Westberg makes a good save on Jesus Ferreira, who got in behind the backline to try and chip off an excellent long ball.

1’ — Game on in Frisco. A weird lineup, but we’ll see how it plays out!

Lineups

Toronto FC: Well, it’s... something. Alejandro Pozue lo on the bench, Terrence Boyd in the starting XI, but JAY CHAPMAN STARTS!

FC Dallas: A strong group with Ferreira up top and Pomykal in the middle.

Preview

Toronto FC are finally back tonight after a two-week break (although it feels much longer than that, doesn’t it?). They’re down in Frisco, Texas to take on FC Dallas, a club they’ve never had much success against.

Unfortunately, the Reds haven’t had much success recently, either, winless in seven, and they’re still without a number of key players away at—you know what? This is getting depressing, let’s skip to looking at how to beat FCD.

They, too, are a little hamstrung by the international break. Carlos Gruezo, Bryan Acosta, and Reggie Cannon are all away at either the Gold Cup or Copa America, plus they’ve got a few injuries to deal with. That said, they’re still a dangerous young team with a lot of energetic homegrown players.

Currently, FC Dallas sits fifth in the Western Conference with a 6-6-4 record (just one win better than TFC). They’re pretty much middle-of-the-pack in both goals for and against, and they’re one of the better possession teams in the league, but they’re also among the worst in MLS in shots per game. So, perhaps a case of possession without creativity, at times?

In terms of who to watch out for, the name Paxton Pomykal jumps out first. The 19-year-old homegrown has become a key part of the FC Dallas attacking midfield, and they’re a much more dangerous team with him in the lineup. We’ll see whether or not he gets the start, but he will be one to keep an eye on. Michael Barrios is a dangerous one as well, with five assists to his name this year.

TFC could really use this win to get back into form, and perhaps put some daylight between themselves and the other sides jockeying for seventh in the Eastern Conference.

Team news: injuries, suspensions & international duty

Toronto FC: Auro Jr. and Chris Mavinga (both hamstring) are listed as out for tonight. Jozy Altidore, Michael Bradley (USA), Jonathan Osorio, Ashtone Morgan, and Noble Okello (Canada) are all away at the CONCACAF Gold Cup.

FC Dallas: Defender John Nelson (abdominal) is out, and midfielder Jacori Hayes (quad) is questionable. Away on international duty are Bryan Acosta (Honduras), Carlos Gruezo (Ecuador), and Reggie Cannon (USA).

How to watch

Match date/time: Saturday, June 22, 8 p.m. ET
TV channel: TSN 1, 3 & 4
Live stream: TSN GO, ESPN+
Radio: TSN 1050 (Toronto)