April 30, 2010 MLS--Toronto FC Looks For First Road Points (from TorontoFC.ca)

Toronto Looks For First Road Points
Weak away form meets 13-game home unbeaten streak
Media Affiliate: MLSsoccer.com
Friday, April 30, 2010 - 9:14pm

 
RSL won this fixture 3-0 last season
Toronto's first road win in club history was over Salt Lake on July 4, 2007
RSL coach Jason Kreis was selected by Toronto in the November 17, 2006 expansion draft, before being traded back to the Utah club

The basics

Real Salt Lake (1-3-1) vs. Toronto FC (2-3-0) - Broadcast Info

All-time record: Toronto leads 3-2-1

What's at stake?

RSL are looking to re-establish their home dominance at Rio Tinto Stadium-which they made a fortress last season-after a difficult start to the season. Toronto, on the other hand, are rebounding from an off-season filled with turmoil. Seemingly on the mend, they want to show that they can now be competitive on the road.

Last meeting

Last year, TFC bested Real Salt Lake 1-0 at Toronto's BMO field on Oct. 17 behind Jim Brennan's half-volley. The match was the final home game for Toronto, and at the time it was a key tilt as both teams were looking to secure a final playoff spots. However, RSL snuck into the playoffs-and Toronto was left out.

Heroes & Villains

RSL striker Alvaro Saborio vs. Toronto's backline - Toronto has been allowing goals at a rate of three per game on the road, with nine over the first three road matches Real Salt Lake has historically been potent at home, leading the league in goals at home by a wide margin in 2009. Could the mix of the two lead to a breakout for the Costa Rican star?

Dwayne De Rosario vs. Kyle Beckerman - DeRo will float around in the attack and try to find open spots to be able to run at the defense. The Canadian national leads Toronto in goals for the season with five. RSL's best means for stopping this is to have Beckerman try to shadow him, and minimize his touches. For their part, Toronto will likely try to keep RSL guessing as to where the attack will come from.

Stat that makes you go "Hmm ..."

Three of Real Salt Lake's seven goals suffered this season have come from the penalty spot compared to seven in 60 matches over the past two seasons.

He said it

"I've made it very clear to the players that we want to be focused only on this very first game against Toronto. I want everything put into this match."- RSL coach Jason Kreis on RSL's May homestand.

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