| Vancouver FC vs. Inter Toronto July 4 at 7 p.m. ET / 4 p.m. PT The Stadium at Langley Events Centre, Langley, B.C. Watch Live: OneSoccer Tickets available here |
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Two sides seeking redemption clash in the Lower Mainland on Saturday, when Vancouver FC host Inter Toronto.
VFC will have to recover on a quick turnaround, after an incredibly frustrating loss to Forge FC on Canada Day. Vancouver jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first half in Hamilton, but a combination of their mistakes and Forge's adjustments led to a quick reversal, and a 3-2 loss.
That result put a halt to the momentum Vancouver had previously been building, with back-to-back wins before the World Cup break, but they remain in decent position in the league. Although they're seventh, they have 11 points which means they're just one behind Halifax for the final playoff spot.
Toronto, meanwhile, will likewise need to shake off the feeling of defeat, although they've had much longer to reflect on their previous results.
Before the season pause, they lost three straight games, giving up 12 goals in the process of losses to FC Supra (3-1), Forge FC (4-1) and Cavalry FC (5-1) — the latter two at home.
However, as coach Mauro Eustáquio has pointed out recently, Inter Toronto's earlier results this season have given them some margin for error. They remain in fifth place, tied on points (12) with Halifax, who have played three more games than Toronto.
Of course, they'll have to find a way to stop leaking goals, but Toronto have proven this year that they can be a contender; the challenge now will be finding consistency.
These two sides met once earlier this season in Toronto, where Gabriel Bitar scored in just the sixth minute en route to a 1-0 win for Inter.
Toronto have had some considerable success in Langley over the years, winning on four of the six occasions they've visited.
However, a Vancouver team on the rise is looking to flip that script, and get back into the playoff positions.
NEWS & NOTES
- Inter Toronto's Luke Singh and Vancouver FC's Marcello Polisi are both one yellow card away from a one-match suspension for accumulation.
PROJECTED STARTING XIs
Vancouver FC: Irving; Gee, Campagna, Proctor; Doner, Fotsing, Mezquida, Ouattara; Bah, Campbell, Amissi
Inter Toronto: Urtiaga; Sturing, Guzmán, León; Ferrari, Yeates, Kibato, Almagro; Jimoh, Skublak, Altobelli
