Predicting Toronto FC’s lineup against the San Jose Earthquakes

On Saturday night Toronto FC will be in San Jose, California to take on the Earthquakes, just three days after winning their third consecutive Canadian Championship. Toronto will be missing defender Chris Mavinga and striker Jozy Altidore for this one, both because of red cards in previous matches.

For this match I think Greg Vanney will opt for the 4-4-2 diamond formation, as they will be missing a key centre-back in Chris Mavinga.

Goalkeeper

Alex Bono

Bono got the night off on Wednesday, as Irwin started his fourth match of the Canadian Championship. Bono will look to use those extra rest days as an opportunity to regain his confidence following an ugly match against New York City FC, where he allowed 3 goals.

Defence

Gregory van der Wiel, Nick Hagglund, Drew Moor, Justin Morrow

Morrow played all 90 minutes against Vancouver, so he is the least likely to play in this one, as the other three were all sidelined against the Whitecaps. Hagglund came off the bench to replace Chris Mavinga, who is suspended for this one, so I imagine it’ll be him filling in on Saturday. Eriq Zavaleta has been used a lot recently, and it’s time for him to have a break. Drew Moor returned from injury against NYCFC and should be in contention to start this one.

Midfield

Michael Bradley, Jonathan Osorio, Jay Chapman, Victor Vazquez

Bradley, Osorio and Chapman all played in the Canadian Championship final, and could be called upon again on Saturday. Depending on the health of Vazquez, who was forced to sit out on Wednesday after hurting his knee in the warmup, we could even see new signing Lucas Janson get the start, as he is capable of playing up top or in an attacking midfield role, such as Vazquez’s top of the diamond position.

Jonathan Osorio will surely get the call to start, assuming he is fit and ready to go, as he has undoubtedly been TFC’s best player this season. The Brampton, Ontario native added to his already incredible campaign, crossing the Canadian Championship MVP award off his bucket list.

Forward

Sebastian Giovinco, Jon Bakero

Jozy Altidore was incredible on Wednesday, scoring his first TFC hat trick, but will be suspended for this match because of a red card-worthy foul against NYCFC last Sunday. In his place I went with Jon Bakero, as the Spaniard is yet to start for TFC. The aforementioned Lucas Janson is also capable of plating up top, but a partnership of him and Giovinco would be a bad idea, as both are very short and would be bullied by most MLS defenders. Other options for Vanney to start are Tosaint Ricketts, Jordan Hamilton and Ayo Akinola.