Match Day Thread Pre-Season Friendly: Toronto FC Vs Sunderland A.F.C

Toronto FC Vs Sunderland A.F.C

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Team News

Toronto FC
Head Coach Greg Vanney couldn't stress enough his teams MLS schedual is the priority, however he should give a run out to many of his first team. Toronto top scorer Sebastian Giovinco has bagged 8 goals in 16, should play a part. Blast from the past Steven Caldwell who has missed most of the MLS season with an achilles problem called time on his career prior to the fixture. While Jozy Altidore should also feature having not been included in the U.S Gold Squad.


Sunderland
Sunderland welcome new signings Jeremain Lens, Younès Kaboul and Sebastián Coates to the squad though they won't feature tonight. Patrick van Aanholt and Adam Johnson have also joined up with the squad after suffering Visa difficulties in the US. Costel Pantilimon and Jordi Gómez could feature for the first time this tour after injury.
Players To Watch
Jermain Defoe and Jozy Altidore

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Well we all know about Toronto FC following January's transfer business which left both set of fans very happy with their players efforts. But while Jermain Defoe was grabbing some crucial survival goals, including a sex volley against the Mags, Jozy Altidore has been turning heads in Canada netting an impressive 7 goals in 13 games . You can be sure both players will be well up for this fixture looking to prove a point to their ex clubs.
Our Opponents

Toronto play out of the BMO Field, a 30,991 capacity stadium. Anybody who's made the long trip be sure to familiarise yourself with ground regulations here http://bmofield.com/about/a-z-fan-guide/.

Coverage
Watch the live stream at midnight tonight here

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New signings Jeremain Lens and Younes Kaboul will have to wait to make their Sunderland debuts.Lens and Kaboul have been training with their new team-mates here in Canada after completing their moves to the Stadium of Light last week.

But while they have both been in full training, neither are sharp enough yet to feature in tonight’s final North American friendly against Toronto, with next week’s encounter at Doncaster pencilled in for their first game.

Head coach Dick Advocaat said: “They need a little bit more time in terms of training sessions.

“They will probably start next week.”

Fellow new boy Sebastian Coates is unlikely to feature either, while Connor Wickham, Danny Graham and Lee Cattermole are all injury doubts.

But Advocaat is looking for a more positive performance from his side after back-to-back defeats in California.

“For us, it is an important game because it is almost two weeks before the season starts,” he added.

“At a certain time, the football has to become more important than the fitness, although if you want to play wel

 

Are either of you two going to the Doncaster game?

 

Love being able to put the actual stream on the op

 

Can't mate, money has been cut, skint as ****.

 

Sorry to hear that mate

 

It's missing the first home game of the season which is the sucker punch. Need to get moved because the shortfall in rent is eating up my money. Money for care now goes on bills.

 

I'm on holiday that week so can't make it unfortunately.

 

Nightmare

 

Could be wrong but I read that as "they won't start" not "they won't play"... The new lads could yet get a 20 minute run out or something? I guess we'll know for sure in half hour or so.

 

Glad some people are staying up for this, feel like a right sad bugger staying up til quarter to 2 for a friendly... Hats off to anyone who sat through the last two woeful displays!

Hope we can at least put in a decent performance tonight, it's getting to the point soon where the "it's all about fitness" excuse is wearing a bit thin.

 

I'm up for work at half five so will be off to bed..

 

I thought it was midnight? I'll stay up for midnight but not 145. **** times.

 

I think he meant staying up until 1.45 cos that's when it finishes, ha

 

No Jozy at all. #bottler

Toronto

Bendik; Morrow, Perquis, Zavaleta, Jackson; Lovitz, Cheyrou, Warner, Delgado; Giovinco, Findley

Danger man easily. Keep an eye on him he's been in fine form this season.

 

No Altidore.

It looks like he's gone for his strongest team of players available. Wonder if it's an indicator that Jones will start ahead of Matthews.

 

Jones is starting. Team in Tees post.

 

I meant it could be an indicator he's first choice at the moment for Dick.

 

Ah, I see, Think he could need more game time after missing the first friendly. It's good competition having those two competing, hope we can get PVA some too