| Inter Toronto vs. Pacific FC Sept. 27 at 2 p.m. ET / 11 a.m. PT York Lions Stadium in Toronto, Ont. Watch Live: OneSoccer Tickets available here |
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Inter Toronto begin a three-match homestand on Sunday as they host Pacific FC at York Lions Stadium.
Sitting eight points out of the fourth and final playoff spot with six matches remaining following a 3-3 draw with Vancouver FC on Wednesday, three points in each of their final four home games is essentially mandatory to keep their fleeting playoff hopes alive.
York Lions Stadium is where Toronto have been at their best this season, unbeaten in their past four at York Lions Stadium and with four of their five wins this season coming in Toronto.
A meeting between the sides currently in the two bottom spots in the league, the two clubs have also struggled mightily defensively this season. Inter Toronto have now conceded a league-worst 49 goals, including 11 in their past four matches. Pacific have allowed 44 goals.
The total has already surpassed the most Inter Toronto have allowed in club history in a single season, 44 back in 2023. They've allowed three or more goals in 10 matches this season.
That played out the last time the two sides met, back on September 9. Three times Pacific FC led, three times Inter Toronto answered in a 3-3 draw. Holding leads, evidently, is another downfall of these two sides this season. Pacific have dropped a league-high 21 points from winning positions this season, while Inter Toronto have squandered 14 after leading in Langley on Wednesday.
The Tridents, meanwhile, became the first team to be mathematically eliminated following their 1-1 draw with Vancouver FC last weekend.
They remain motivated, however, to continue to build on the clear progress they have made under new head coach Terry Dunfield as they begin to build toward next season. Players now need to prove they are worthy of continuing to be part of that project.
Dunfield made waves in his post-match press conference last time he was at York Lions Stadium when he said there weren't many Inter Toronto players who would get into his team. Now his group have a chance to back that up again on Sunday.
Can Inter Toronto make one final stand in the CPL playoff race? Or can the Tridents continue to pick up big results down the stretch?
NEWS & NOTES
- Captain Oswaldo Léon is available again for Inter Toronto after serving his suspension.
- Pacific FC head coach Terry Dunfield serves the final match of his touchline suspension on Sunday.
- Inter Toronto remain without leading goalscorer Julian Atlobelli and young star Shola Jimoh through injury.
- Pacific defender Tristan Marshall is away on international duty with Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.
PROJECTED STARTING XIs
Inter Toronto: Campos; Singh, Sturing, Léon; Córdova, Yeates, López, Bassett, Kibato; Almagro, Skublak
Pacific FC: Melvin; Greco-Taylor, Konincks, Quintana, Heard; Bustos, Piepgress, Gomulka, Toualy; Hundal, Díaz
KEY QUOTES
"We're at home, we want to win, we want a good performance, but I think it's important for this group to keep our net and zeroes, because it's something that we believe in, and to win games it's crucial. " - Inter Toronto manager Mauro Eustáquio
"[If] there's still a chance for us to make playoffs, we're gonna go for it. Something about this group is that we never stop believing, never quit. So these upcoming games are going to be huge, and there's no lies about it, we have to win. Because if you don't get three points in these upcoming games, it's basically over." - Inter Toronto defender Frank Sturing
"I think Inter Toronto's in a place where they're just chasing points right now. There's been a lot of change in starting elevens, systems of play and I'd say that's where they're at right now." - Pacific FC manager Terry Dunfield
"The most important thing for us is just having a good end to the season, finish the season properly, trying to get the most wins we can. To still be a team that is hard to beat, that's something we're going to keep pushing for." - Pacific FC attacker Yann Toualy