Predicting Toronto FC’s lineup against the New York Red Bulls

Toronto FC are at Red Bull Arena on Saturday to take on the New York Red Bulls

Although he played 45 minutes midweek in the MLS All-Star Game, Alejandro Pozuelo is expected to be available for this game, but new signings Erickson Gallardo and Nicolas Benezet might be unavailable for selection while they are getting integrated into the squad.

Goalkeeper

Quentin Westberg

Alex Bono will be getting the start on Wednesday night in the Canadian Championship, so Quentin Westberg's streak of MLS starts will continue on Saturday night.

Defenders

Richie Laryea, Omar Gonzalez, Chris Mavinga, Justin Morrow

Three of the four players I've picked started last weekend against FC Cincinnati. Drew Moor started in place of Chris Mavinga, but Mavinga did come off the bench.

Omar Gonzalez has been excellent since coming to Toronto, and The Reds are yet to drop points with him in the lineup. If he can play like he did a couple of weeks ago when the Red Bulls were at BMO Field, TFC will have an increased chance to take three points.

Midfielders

Michael Bradley, Marky Delgado, Jonathan Osorio, Alejandro Pozuelo, Jacob Shaffelburg

There's always chance that new TAM signings Erickson Gallardo and Nicolas Benezet see some minutes in this one, but if they do, they'll likely be off the bench.

Gallardo was dealing with an Injury after he arrived, but has apparently recovered from it now. He'll still need time to get match fit, so I think if we do see him, it'll be off the bench. There's a chance he also sees minutes in the Canadian Championship on Wednesday.

As for Benezet, who joined The Reds earlier this week, I don't think we'll see at all today. I'm sure he'll be travelling with the squad to take in the game, but I think he'll probably skip one game and play next weekend against Orlando.

In their places, I think Jacob Shaffelburg and Jonathan Osorio will start on either side of Alejandro Pozuelo.

In a situation when every player is available to start, Shaffelburg will likely be coming off the bench, but Osorio is battling for a spot in the starting lineup with Marky Delgado. Osorio is better going forward, but Delgado is better defensively, so how Greg Vanney wants to use those two players (assuming he sticks with the 4-2-3-1 formation) remains to be seen.

Forward

Jozy Altidore

Altidore has been tearing it up lately, scoring four goals in four games. His goal against FC Cincinnati last weekend ended up being the game-winner, and was a thing of beauty.

It was only one of three incredible goals he scored in the month of July:

My full starting XI: