Stronger defensive play main purpose for Crew vs. Toronto FC

The Columbus Crew will look to get back into the win column and improve their standing in the Eastern Conference table when they host Toronto FC on Saturday night.

Columbus (13-7-10, 49 points) lost 3-2 to New York City FC on Wednesday night to fall to 1-2-2 in its last five matches. The Crew enter Saturday’s action in seventh place in the East, only a point back of fourth-place Nashville.

Midfielder Daniel Gazdag and forward Wessam Abou Ali each scored a goal for Columbus in the midweek loss to New York City FC.

The three goals conceded were in addition to the four Columbus allowed in a 5-4 win over Atlanta last Saturday.

“The reality is we concede too many goals,” Crew coach Wilfried Nancy said. “We’ve conceded seven goals in two games, simple as that. We score goals, but we concede goals. This is not the same goals that we concede every game.”

Columbus and Toronto played to a 1-1 draw north of the border on Aug. 16. The result is part of a five-match unbeaten streak (0-0-5) for the Reds.

Toronto (5-13-11, 26 points) officially was eliminated from MLS Cup playoff contention with the 1-1 draw in New England last Saturday.

Toronto forward Theo Corbeanu scored in the 75th minute, securing a single point for the Reds, who have not lost since a 2-0 decision against Charlotte on July 26.

With the playoffs out of reach, the remainder of the MLS regular season will provide Toronto coach Robin Fraser an opportunity to assess his players with a look to next season.

“The goal for us certainly is to make sure that we evaluate players, and we have good opinions on players by the end of the year,” Fraser said. “The other goal is to win every game. For me, I don’t care if we’re in or out of the playoffs at this point; this is a group that is gaining traction moving forward.”

–Field Level Media