FC Cincinnati fly north of the border for the first time in 2022 to take on Toronto FC. Kickoff from BMO Field in Ontario is set for 3 p.m. ET on Saturday, April 30.
Let’s break down this matchup, by the numbers.
3
Dominique Badji aims to put his name on the scoresheet for the Orange and Blue Saturday. Badji has scored three times in his career against Toronto FC, tied for the most goals he has scored against any Eastern Conference opponent (Philadelphia Union). One of those goals came at BMO Field, on July 22, 2017 with Colorado Rapids, a 76th minute equalizer which earned a point for the visitors in a 1-1 tie.
6
Toronto forward Jesús Jiménez has scored six goals this season, tied for the MLS-lead with Austin FC’s Sebastian Driussi. Perhaps the most impressive part of his six goals this season is that they have come on just eight shots on target.
Jiménez has been a solid signing for TFC, joining the Reds in February from Górnik Zabrze of the Ekstraklasa, Poland’s top flight. None of his six goals this season have come from the penalty spot either, making him a potent threat for the Orange and Blue to deal with Saturday.
18
Toronto’s 18 assists this season are the second-most in MLS, only behind Austin FC’s 24. Key in that tally has been the midfield duo of Jonathan Osorio and Alejandro Pozuelo, who have each have registered four assists this season, one assist off the league-lead of five (Raheem Edwards, LA; Diego Fagundez, ATX; Jan Gregus, SJ).
52
Toronto have allowed 52 shots this season, the most in MLS, and have allowed 17 goals, tied for the second-most conceded goals in the league. The Reds are one of four clubs this season to have not recorded a clean sheet.
61
Despite allowing 52 shots this season, Bob Bradley’s team can certainly be described as efficient on the offensive side. Through eight games, Toronto average nearly two goals per game, having scored 15 goals which is tied for fourth-most in MLS. Yet, the Reds enter Saturday’s game with just 61 shots taken this season, by far the fewest in the league. The next-fewest shots taken is 80 by both D.C. United and Nashville SC.
32 of the 61 shots Toronto have taken this season have been on target, a 52.5% accurate shooting percentage which is by far the best in MLS (2nd – Charlotte FC, 41.2%).
Two other numbers to illustrate Toronto’s discipline and efficiency: the club is ranked second-best in MLS in fewest offsides (7) and fouls conceded (69) this season.
11,994
Veteran midfielder Haris Medunjanin enters Saturday’s game with six minutes shy of 12,000 minutes for his MLS career. Should he appear in Saturday’s contest, it will be the 10th time he sees game action against Toronto FC.
By The Numbers is presented by CTI.
