Preview: Toronto vs. Orlando City - prediction, team news, lineups

After a three-week international break, Toronto and Orlando City return to Major League Soccer action on Saturday, as they square off in Florida.

The two sides have had contrasting starts to the season, as Orlando sit in third spot in the Eastern Conference, while Toronto occupy 12th spot having only won one league game.

Match preview

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Toronto return from the international break having had a disappointing start to the campaign, currently sitting in 12th spot with one win from their seven league outings.

They rounded off the opening spell of games with consecutive defeats at the end of May, most recently losing 2-1 to Columbus Crew as Ayo Akinola's goal was not enough to overturn a two-goal deficit after early goals from Luis Diaz and Gyasi Zardes for The Crew.

Before that, they fell to a 1-0 defeat at the hands of Saturday's opponents, as Tesho Akindele netted an early goal to fire Orlando to their third win of the season.

They will look to get revenge for that result on Saturday, as they aim to put the recent run behind them and record a second league win of the season to climb closer to the playoff spots.

The Reds take on an Orlando side who will look to return to action with a win after a disappointing defeat last time out.

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Orlando City fell to their first MLS defeat of the season prior to the international break, as they were beaten 2-1 by New York Red Bulls.

The hosts went two goals ahead through Caden Clark and Cristian Casseres, and Silvester van de Water's 84th-minute goal for the Lions was not enough to spark a comeback and salvage a result.

That saw them drop behind Philadelphia Union to third spot, having won three and drawn three of their opening six games before that defeat.

However, they do have a game in hand on both the second-placed side and Conference leaders New England Revolution, who sit five points ahead, meaning the landscape could quickly change at the top end of the table.

With the top two sides playing on Sunday, Orlando will be desperate to make a return to winning ways and put pressure on those sides while keeping their game in hand.

Team News

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Toronto come into this game without forward Yeferson Soteldo, who is away with Venezuela at the Copa America.

Meanwhile, they also remain without several players through injury, as defender Julian Dunn and winger Erickson Gallardo are expected to miss out.

Forwards Dom Dwyer and Ifunanyachi Achara should also continue spells on the sidelines, having missed the last game through injury.

Furthermore, experienced forward Jozy Altidore should play no part, as he is currently training on his own due to tense relations with the club.

That should leave Ayo Akinola to lead the line alongside Nick DeLeon.

The Orlando City squad has also taken a hit due to the Copa America, with key midfielder Sebastian Mendez away with Ecuador and first-choice goalkeeper Pedro Gallese playing for Peru.

That should see Tottenham Hotspur loanee Brandon Austin come into the side between the sticks, while Joey DeZart may partner Junior Urso in front of the back four.

Tesho Akindele is expected to lead the line once again, having hit two goals and two assists in the opening seven games of the MLS season.

Toronto possible starting lineup:
Bono; Laryea, Mavinga, Zavaleta, Lawrence; Delgado, Auro, Bradley, Shaffelburg; Akinola, DeLeon

Orlando City possible starting lineup:
Austin; Smith, Carlos, Jansson, Schlegel; Urso, DeZart; Perea, Pereyra, Mueller; Akindele

We say: Toronto 1-2 Orlando City

Although both sides have been hit by absentees, we see a majorly depleted Toronto squad falling to another defeat on Saturday, given their disappointing start to the campaign.

While they will have the advantage of Orlando playing with a relatively inexperienced goalkeeper, the lack of attacking options means they could still struggle, and we see them being slightly outclassed.