European football weekend: What to watch in main competitions

There are cup finals in England and Germany, while the final rounds are played in the leagues in France, Italy and Spain where the titles have already been settled.

There are cup finals in England and Germany, while the final rounds are played in the leagues in France, Italy and Spain where the titles have already been settled.

What to watch in the leading soccer competitions in Europe this weekend:

ENGLAND 
Even if Chelsea beats Manchester United in the FA Cup final, Antonio Conte appears to be on his way out of the west London club.

Conte completed his first season in charge a year ago by losing the cup final to Arsenal but he had just collected the Premier League trophy. Relations with the club’s hierarchy soured in the offseason and Chelsea mounted a pitiful defense of its title to finish last weekend in fifth place, missing out on Champions League qualification.

Even though United is yet to collect silverware this season, Jose Mourinho at least guided the team to second place, its highest finish since Alex Ferguson’s final title win before retiring in 2013.

“We’re moving in the right direction,” United defender Phil Jones said, pointing to last season’s Europa League and League Cup successes under Mourinho. “We’ll always have our critics because we’re Man United and ultimately it’s been like that since I’ve been here, but it shows that we’re moving in the right direction under him.”

By Rob Harris in London.

GERMANY 
Eintracht Frankfurt will try and deny Bayern Munich a domestic double when the sides meet in the season-ending German Cup final in Berlin’s Olympiastadion on Saturday.

Bayern, which clinched the Bundesliga with five rounds to spare, is aiming to send coach Jupp Heynckes off into his latest retirement with a final trophy. The return of Heynckes turned around Bayern’s faltering start to the season.

Bayern’s players will be facing their new coach as Niko Kovac completes his spell as Frankfurt coach. He lost last year’s final to Borussia Dortmund.

“We don’t need to be afraid,” Frankfurt midfielder Kevin-Prince Boateng said, sending out a message to his teammates: “Concentrate on how you played football before in the park. It’s just a bit bigger here.”

By Ciaran Fahey in Berlin.

ITALY

It’s winner takes all at the Stadio Olimpico as Lazio hosts Inter Milan in the final Serie A match of the season, with both sides fighting for the last remaining Champions League berth.

The top four teams qualify for the Champions League. Juventus clinched a record-extending seventh successive league title last week, with Napoli second and Roma third.

Lazio is fourth but three points ahead of Inter. The teams drew 0-0 earlier so an Inter win on Sunday would see the Nerazzurri qualify thanks to a better head-to-head record.

Matters are as tense at the other end of the table with five teams desperate to avoid joining Benevento and Hellas Verona in being relegated.

Crotone, which visits Napoli, is 18th but level on points with Spal, which hosts Sampdoria.

Cagliari has a point more and it entertains Atalanta, which needs a point to beat Fiorentina into the final Europa League spot.

Chievo Verona and Udinese are two points above the drop zone and host Benevento and Bologna respectively.

The only other match on Saturday will be an emotional one as Juventus captain and goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon plays his 656th and final game for the club when it hosts Hellas Verona.

By Daniella Matar in Milan.

FRANCE
Is Marseille going to lose everything?

Beaten 3-0 by Atletico Madrid in the Europa League final on Wednesday, Marseille has only a few hopes left of gaining direct qualification to the Champions League.

Ahead of Saturday’s final round of the French league, the former European champion is in fourth place, three points behind second-place Monaco.

The top three teams qualify for the Champions League and Lyon, which has a one-point lead over Marseille, is primed to book the final automatic spot.

Seven-time champion Lyon plays Nice while Marseille hosts Amiens at the Velodrome. The team that misses out will qualify for the Europa League. Fifth-placed Rennes is 17 points behind Marseille.

Monaco is at Troyes, which needs a win hoping that Toulouse does not beat Guingamp to avoid direct relegation and play the relegation playoff.

Paris Saint-Germain sealed the title last month with five matches left and Unai Emery’s final match in charge is at Caen. Despite being named the league’s best coach, Emery will be replaced by Thomas Tuchel next season after failing to get close to Champions League glory.

By Samuel Petrequin in Paris.

SPAIN
The only thing left to settle in the final round is whether Real Madrid will be able to overcome Atletico Madrid for a symbolic runner-up finish behind Barcelona.

In the last five seasons, Atletico has finished third on each occasion apart from when it won the title in 2014. All the newly crowned Europa League champion requires to finish second is a draw at Eibar on Sunday as it is three points ahead of Real Madrid.

Given its superior goal difference, Real Madrid would finish second with a win at Villarreal on Saturday if Atletico loses the next day. The head-to-head tiebreaker would not come into play because the Madrid teams drew both derbies.

Barcelona completes the season against Real Sociedad on Sunday, having missed out on the chance to go through the season unbeaten when it lost at Levante last weekend.

The fourth Champions League place has already been secured by Valencia.

Villarreal, Real Betis and Sevilla will be playing in the Europa League.

Deportivo La Coruna, Las Palmas and Malaga were relegated.

Platini et la «petite magouille» de la Coupe du monde 1998

Michel Platini, l'ancien patron de l'UEFA, a confié ce vendredi sur France Bleu qu'il y avait eu une «petite magouille» lors de la Coupe du monde 1998 pour que la France et le Brésil s'évitent jusqu'à la finale.

Invité de l'émission Stade Bleu sur France Bleu, qui sera diffusée ce dimanche, Michel Platini a fait des confidences assez incroyables. Parce que «France-Brésil en finale, c'était le rêve de tout le monde», il assure déjà que le Comité français d'organisation de la Coupe du monde, dont il était co-président, a ficelé une «petite magouille» pour que les deux équipes s'évitent jusqu'à la finale.

Une petite magouille plutôt simple : mettre le Brésil et la France dans les groupes A et C. Comme ça, si les deux sélections terminaient en tête de leur poule, elles ne pouvaient pas se croiser jusqu'à la finale. Selon les règles de la Fifa, le tirage au sort des groupes doit se faire de manière aléatoire. «On ne s'est pas emmerdé pendant six ans à organiser la Coupe du monde pour ne pas faire quelques petites magouilles», a répondu l'ancien capitaine des Bleus devant Jacques Vendroux. Avant de conclure. «Vous pensez que les autres ne le faisaient pas ?»

France Bleu Sport

✔@francebleusport

Coupe du Monde 98 : la "petite magouille" de Platini pour que France et Brésil s'évitent jusqu'à la finale > https://www.francebleu.fr/sports/football/coupe-du-monde-98-la-petite-magouille-de-michel-platini-pour-un-france-bresil-en-finale-1526569206 …

05:20 - 18 mai 2018

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FA Cup Final: Chelsea vs Manchester United Lineups, Preview & Prediction

Chelsea battle Manchester United in their second successive FA Cup final appearance in what could be Antonio Conte's final game as Blues' boss.

17:15, Saturday 19th May, Wembley Stadium (London), BBC One/BT Sport 2

Last season’s FA Cup runners-up make their second consecutive final appearance when they face Manchester United at Wembley on Saturday afternoon. 

With the Royal Wedding just hours before kick-off at Wembley, it’s certainly a joyous day, one for celebration, though only for one set of supporters.

With Chelsea finishing fifth and United second, both sides missed out on silverware and this represents the last chance for both to save their season and give the fans something to smile about. As the Europa League looms like a dark cloud over Stamford Bridge, it’s perhaps the Blues that are more in need.

This could, in fact, prove to be Conte’s swansong with the club he guided to the Premier League title in 2016/17. 

Speculation has mounted over his season throughout the season with tension reaching boiling point after the final day defeat to Newcastle. A loss on Saturday is likely to prove the final nail in the coffin.

Last Time Out

Newcastle United 3-0 Chelsea [Premier League]

Chelsea missed out on a place in next season’s Champions League with a 3-0 away defeat to Newcastle, ending a miserable defence of their title. 

With mounting speculation that Antonio Conte is set to leave the club over the summer, it’s clear how little influence he has left on his players.

REUTERS/Scott Heppell

The Blues were second best for the majority of the match and eventually went behind to a Dwight Gayle header. A second half brace from Ayoze Perez condemned the Blues to a season in the Europa League and a fifth-placed finish.

Chelsea looked demotivated and uninspired, epitomised by failing to register a shot on target until the 52nd minute, with their best chance of the game falling to Olivier Giroud. It was a dismal end to a dismal season, preparing for the FA Cup Final in the worst possible way.

Manchester United 1-0 Watford [Premier League]

Red Devils legend Michael Carrick bid farewell to the club and the Premier League with a 1-0 victory over Javi Gracia’s Watford. The 36-year-old will be joining United’s coaching staff after 12 seasons as a player at Old Trafford.

REUTERS/Darren Staples

Carrick reminded the United fans just what they’re going to miss by setting up Marcus Rashford’s winning goal. The Englishman lofted a perfect ball to Juan Mata, who squared to Rashford in the 34th minute.

The three points ensured the Red Devils finished second in the Premier League. Despite ending the campaign a distant 19 points behind Manchester City, Jose Mourinho led United to their highest finish in the post-Ferguson era.

Chelsea Lineup

The Blues are only expecting to be without two players on Saturday; David Luiz is suffering from a knee injury, whilst Danny Drinkwater is ruled out with a calf strain. 

The big question for Conte, though, is whether he starts Alvaro Morata or Olivier Giroud.

Manchester United Lineup

Romelu Lukaku faces a race against time to be fit for Saturday’s final, whilst Anthony Martial is likely to miss out after injuring himself before United’s final Premier League fixture. Marouane Fellaini is also a doubt.

Mourinho is likely to pick the team that dispatched Tottenham 2-1 in the semi-final last month.

Key Battle: N’Golo Kante vs Paul Pogba

Manchester United reached the final by beating Tottenham 2-1 at Wembley last month, and they were able to do so by shutting Spurs down in the middle of the pitch.

The Lilywhites played into the Red Devils’ hands by attacking them and Pogba subsequently flourished between the lines of attack and defence. Spurs’ attacking strategy left pockets of space for the Frenchman to operate in.

REUTERS/Jason Cairnduff

If Chelsea follow suit and attack United, the same issue will plague them. However, Conte will task N’Golo Kante with the task of ensuring Pogba doesn’t get too much time on the ball.

Kante has made the second most interceptions in the league (70), as well as the third-most tackles (69).

Similarly important is how Ander Herrera marshalls Eden Hazard, the same way he did in Manchester United’s 2-0 victory over the Blues in their title-winning season.

Talking Points

Advantage Manchester United

Manchester United’s last three games saw them lose to Brighton, draw with West Ham and beat Watford narrowly. They clearly struggled and the common denominator in those three matches is that these are all teams that sit deeper in a low-block defensive structure.

Mourinho is at his best against teams that like to play openly and expansively, so the key for Conte is giving United the advantage in terms of possession and force his Portuguese counterpart to play the way he so despises.

If the Blues are patient, as per their typical playing style, their chance will come on the break. Moreover, the likes of Giroud and Hazard are well-suited to this tactic.

Season-saving game

Chelsea’s defence of their title was, frankly, appalling and they finished fifth, without spending a single day at the top of the table, condemned to plying their trade in next season’s Europa League. 

Consequently, Conte has been flirting with the axe all season and it’s clear the players no longer have faith in their boss, which could cause another poor performance this weekend. It’s Chelsea’s last chance to save their season, but will the players turn up or display another lack of support for their boss?

For United, they finished higher than the Blues, but this is their only chance for silverware too. Mourinho, the serial winner, will be desperate to get his hands on another FA Cup.

Prediction: Chelsea 1-2 Manchester United

All the internal managerial turmoil at Chelsea has left the players unmotivated and uninspired and Conte will struggle to bring the best out of them, despite the occasion.

Manchester United will look to be patient and take their chances when they do eventually come their way, so much depends on whether Lukaku as it the races against his former club or not. However, Mourinho will do what he does best and win.

El Celta despide la temporada goleando 4-2 al Levante

El Levante empezó con más intensidad, pero a medida que pasaron los minutos, el Celta fue imponiéndose, en el último partido de Juan Carlos Unzué como técnico del equipo gallego

El Celta ganó este sábado 4-2 al Levante, con dobletes de Iago Aspas y Maxi Gómez, en la 38ª y última jornada de la Liga española, cortando una racha de seis encuentros sin conocer la victoria.

Rubén Rochina adelantó al Levante con un gol por la escuadra (12), antes de que el uruguayo Maxi Gómez igualara al rematar en boca de gol un pase de Iago Aspas (29), que al filo del descanso hacía el 2-1 (41).

Aspas remató un pase de Maxi Gómez par hacer el 3-1 (48), marcando su 22º tanto en la Liga, que lo consolida como el máximo goleador español del campeonato, y el uruguayo hizo de cabeza el 4-1 (63), antes de que José Luis Morales pusiera el 4-2 (74).

El Levante empezó con más intensidad, pero a medida que pasaron los minutos, el Celta fue imponiéndose, en el último partido de Juan Carlos Unzué como técnico del equipo gallego.

La victoria gallega cortó la racha de cinco encuentros consecutivos ganando del Levante, incluida su victoria el pasado fin de semana sobre el Barcelona 5-4, evitando que lo azulgrana pudieran acabar invictos el campeonato.

AFP / Madrid

Roma, Di Francesco: "Penso che Alisson resterà alla Roma. Vogliamo il terzo posto"

L'allenatore giallorosso alla vigilia della sfida con il Sassuolo: "Alisson non ci sarà, Under e Fazio in dubbio". Sul brasiliano: "Niente di definitivo, ma penso resterà qui. Sul mercato stiamo lavorando in simbiosi con la società"

L'ultima di Serie A è ancora una volta sfida da non sbagliare: vietati passi falsi per la Roma. I giallorossi vogliono a tutti i costi consolidare il terzo posto in classifica e serviranno punti a Reggio Emilia per evitare un possibile sorpasso della Lazio, impegnata nella sfida-Champions contro l'Inter. Di fronte un Sassuolo ostico, capace di battere l'Inter domenica scorsa e affamato nonostante la salvezza pienamente raggiunta. Eusebio Di Francesco, grande ex della partita, ha parlato così nella conferenza stampa della vigilia: "La mentalità è importante in tutte le partite, poi domani a maggior ragione sarà importante per il terzo posto. Giocheremo contro una squadra molto in salute: conosco la mentalità di molti ragazzi che stanno dall’altra parte e vorranno fare bella figura". Sul ritorno al Mapei Stadium: "Sono felice di vedere tanti amici. Lì ci sono state delle persone importanti e il Sassuolo resta nel mio cuore. Umanamente ho lasciato e ricevuto grandi insegnamenti". Sugli indisponibili: "Alisson non giocherà. Ünder viene con noi, ma non si è allenato. Sia lui che Fazio sono in dubbio".

"Niente di ufficiale, ma penso che Alisson resterà alla Roma"

Parlando poi del portiere brasiliano, al centro delle voci di mercato: "Abbiamo sia Monchi che De Sanctis che possono sostituire Alisson (ride,ndr). Non c’è nulla di definitivo, ma dalle mie sensazioni penso che rimarrà a Roma. E ne sarei molto felice". Su Berardi e Politano, possibili obiettivi estivi dei giallorossi: "Non voglio parlare di giocatori che non sono della Roma - ha continuato Di Francesco - Sono molto affezionato anche a tanti altri giocatori che sono a Sassuolo, come Magnanelli. È il simbolo che prenderei per ogni squadra per mentalità e dedizione. Però Matteo e Domenico a cui sono molto legato al di là di quello che sarà il futuro. Sul mercato stiamo lavorando in simbiosi con la società. Questa settimana abbiamo iniziato a parlare, una volta raggiunto l’obiettidvo di Champions abbiamo iniziato a pensarci. Sono usciti tanti nomi e certe volte ne sapete più di me. Poi certamente non vi posso fare nomi precisi".

"Abbiamo guadagnato consapevolezza. Stagione ottima, con qualche rammarico"

Tornando alla stagione che sta per concludersi, l'allenatore giallorosso analizza: "La consapevolezza è il dato che ci portiamo di più dietro. Abbiamo riavvicinato la gente, questo desiderio di appartenere a qualcosa. Siamo cresciuti ma non basta. Deve essere un punto di partenza anche affrontare quest’ultima gara. Dobbiamo avere la massima attenzione sia in sede di mercato che nel preparare la prossima annata. Bisogna migliorare ma la bellezza di aver visto entusiasmo devo dire che è una partenza importante. Voto alla stagione? Voglio dare un giudizio generale. Abbiamo fatto tanto in Champions ma c’è un pizzico di rammarico, da parte mia c’è il desiderio di fare qualcosina in più. In Champions ci diamo un ottimo voto. In campionato dispiace per il distacco ma credo che sia stato un campionato positivo con l’obiettivo della Champions che abbiamo raggiunto". Sulle delusioni, invece: "Quella più grande è stato il pregiudizio, sapete cosa intendo, nella parte iniziale della stagione. Per il campo il periodo di gennaio non mi sarei aspettato tanti risultati negativi e ha un po’ compromesso il campionato. Per il resto ci sono tante cose positive. Per la Champions credo sia più avvantaggiata la Lazio". 

BAYERN: ÜBER FRANKFURT ZUM "DOPPEL-DOUBLE"

Das Endspiel im DFB-Pokal wirft seine Schatten voraus. Eintracht Frankfurt fährt wie im vergangenen Jahr (1:2 gegen Borussia Dortmund) nach Berlin und trifft heut (ab 20 Uhr, live in der ARD und bei Sky) auf Rekordpokalsieger Bayern München. Bisher viermal standen sich beide Teams im DFB-Pokal gegenüber, darunter vor zwölf Jahren auch einmal im Finale. Stets waren es Duelle, die die Gemüter erhitzten. Der Historiker Udo Muras blickt für DFB.de auf die bisherigen Pokalbegegnungen zwischen Frankfurt und dem FC Bayern zurück.

1974: Drei Elfmeter im Halbfinale

13. April 1974: Eintracht Frankfurt - Bayern München 3:2

Der deutsche Fußballkaiser war außer sich vor Zorn. "Das sind Diebe" - so empörte sich Franz Beckenbauer noch Stunden später auf dem Frankfurter Flughafen über den Schiedsrichter Heinz Aldinger und die Stars der Frankfurter Eintracht, Jürgen Grabowski und Bernd Hölzenbein. Denn an diesem Ostersamstag des Jahres 1974 war der amtierende Deutsche Meister bei der Eintracht durch einen sehr umstrittenen Elfmeter in letzter Sekunde im Halbfinale aus dem DFB-Pokal ausgeschieden.

Sepp Maier, Bayerns und Deutschlands legendärer Torwart, erklärte den Namen "Aldinger" zum Schimpfwort. Sein Trainer Udo Lattek sprang ihm bei und sagte der Presse: "Spiele werden nicht mehr von den Akteuren, sondern von den Schiedsrichtern entschieden." Das erste von bisher vier DFB-Pokalduellen zwischen den Hessen und den Bayern war gewiss kein Spiel für schwache Nerven und endete 3:2 – nach drei Elfmetern und fünf Toren, die alle in der zweiten Hälfte fielen.

Die Bayern hatten damals wie heute ein Starensemble und waren auf dem Weg zum ersten von drei Europapokalsiegen in Serie. Aber auch die Eintracht unter Trainer Dietrich Weise hatte eine Spitzenmannschaft, die in der Liga den vierten Platz einnahm. 69.000 Zuschauer waren an jenem 14. April 1974 ins Waldstadion geströmt, das für die bevorstehende WM ausgebaut worden war und Rekordbesuch vermeldete. Zunächst wurden sie enttäuscht und sahen eine torlose erste Hälfte. Weise verschärfte deshalb in der Eintracht-Kabine die Tonlage: "In der Pause musste ich eine kleine Ansprache halten. Wir mussten die Bayern attackieren, ihnen den Atem rauben." Seine Botschaft fruchtete und schon nach 49 Minuten glückte Bernd Hölzenbein nach einem 40-Meter-Pass von Uwe Kliemann das 1:0.

Doch die Bayern schlugen zurück: Uli Hoeneß (59.) und Paul Breitner per Elfmeter (61.) drehten die Partie binnen zwei Minuten. Kurz darauf zeigte Aldinger erneut auf den Punkt und sah ein Foul von Katsche Schwarzenbeck an Hölzenbein. Nicht nur für die Fußball-Woche trug dieser Elfmeter "alle Züge einer Konzession". Sepp Maier jedoch, wahrlich kein Elfmetertöter, hielt Grabowskis Schuss. Die Hessen gaben nicht auf und Peter Rohrbach glich in der 68. Minute aus.

Alles roch nach Verlängerung, als Hölzenbein noch einmal in den Strafraum eindrang und Verteidiger Johnny Hansen ihm den Ball wegspitzelte. Und zum dritten Mal pfiff Heinz Aldinger Elfmeter. Das Stadion kochte, die Bayern schäumten und ein Mann behielt die Nerven: Verteidiger Jürgen Kalb schoss die Eintracht ins Finale, das sie, erst im August, gegen den HSV 3:1 gewann.

1989: Augenthaler bricht den Waldstadion-Bann

19. August 1989: Eintracht Frankfurt - Bayern München 0:1

So torreich wie 1974 wurde es nicht mehr und fortan gewannen nur noch die Bayern. Sogar in Frankfurt, was in der Liga 19 Jahre und 21 Pflichtspiele lang ein Ding der Unmöglichkeit war. Doch am 19. August 1989 brach der Waldstadion-Bann auf spektakuläre Art. Klaus Augenthaler überraschte Eintracht-Torwart Uli Stein an einem brütend heißen Tag mit einem Schuss aus dem Mittelkreis (49 Meter) und wurde Torschütze des Monats, Uli Stein dagegen zum Buhmann des Tages. Die Medien machten ihre Wortspiele (Stolper-Stein), doch SGE-Trainer Jörg Berger schützte ihn: "Der Uli stand dort, wo er stehen musste." Und Fortuna stand den Bayern Pate, gleich zweimal rettete das Torgestänge bei Schüssen von Manfred Binz. Sehr zur Erleichterung des Bayern-Trainers – schon damals war es ein gewisser Jupp Heynckes.

2006: Frankfurt erhält Sympathien, Bayern den Pott

29. April 2006: Eintracht Frankfurt - Bayern München 0:1

Das dritte Treffen fand 17 Jahre später auf neutralem und gewissermaßen heiligem Boden statt – in Berlin, beim Pokalfinale. Man schrieb den 29. April 2006, als die Bayern das historische "Doppel-Double" perfekt machten. Der Meister und Pokalsieger 2005 wurde auch der von 2006 – ein einmaliger Doppelschlag. Gegen die Eintracht, die als Aufsteiger eine starke Saison krönen wollte, tat sich der Rekordmeister aber lange schwer. Erst nach 59 Minuten überwand Pizarro an diesem Regentag mit einem Kopfball den starken Oka Nikolov (59.).

Kurz vor Schluss rettete Oliver Kahn den Sieg, als er einen eigentlich unhaltbaren Schuss von Ioannis Amanatidis (87.) parierte. Den sah Eintracht-Trainer Friedhelm Funkel schon von der Tribüne aus; allzu vehement hatte er Rot gegen Willy Sagnol gefordert. Kollege Felix Magath bilanzierte: "Es war ein sehr schweres Spiel. Die Frankfurter haben ein klasse Spiel gemacht und sich viele Sympathien erworben."

2009: Bayern spielt Frankfurt "an die Wand"

28. Oktober 2009: Eintracht Frankfurt - Bayern München 0:4

Das bis dato letzte Treffen ereignete sich im Waldstadion und war allzu früh entschieden. Am 28. Oktober 2009 gewannen die von Louis van Gaal gecoachten Bayern im Achtelfinale locker mit 4:0. Schon zur Pause hatten Miroslav Klose (14., 19.) und Thomas Müller (29.) drei Treffer vorgelegt, dann wollte auch Luca Toni nicht länger zurückstehen (52.). "Wir wurden an die Wand gespielt", gestand Eintracht-Vorstand Heribert Bruchhagen. Die Bayern aber gingen ihren Weg weiter bis Berlin und holten das Double.

Toronto FC 2, Orlando City SC 1 | 2018 MLS Match Recap

A late goal from local product Ryan Telfer handed Toronto FC a 2-1 win over Orlando City SC at BMO Field on Friday night.

Toronto opened the scoring just after the hour mark, as substitute Tosaint Ricketts' shot bounced off the post. But midfielder Jay Chapman followed up the rebound and slotted his shot into the net.

About 10 minutes later, it appeared TFC went two goals ahead through Ricketts, but the goal was chalked off due to offside. Moments later, Orlando City tied up the game as Cristian Higuitastroked in a shot following a bit of a scramble in the box by Orlando.

But Toronto had the last laugh, as Telfer, getting his fourth start of the season after signing in April, scored his first MLS goal to win the game for the home side.

Goals

• 63' – TOR – Jay Chapman | WATCH
• 73' – ORL – Cristian Higuita | WATCH
• 73' – TOR – Ryan Telfer | WATCH

Next Up

Three Things 

• THE BIG PICTURE: Toronto FC are determined to be in the reckoning for silverware again this year, and to do that they need wins like this one, at home before the summer grind really kicks off. Orlando will be disappointed they couldn't hold on for a road point, especially against such a reserve-heavy TFC side.
• MOMENT OF THE MATCH: The winning goal was impressive, so much so that most scorers can only dream of scoring a top-flight goal as good as that, much less a debut goal.
• MAN OF THE MATCH: Ryan Telfer had a night to remember. His volley from Auro's cross-field cross to open his MLS account and deliver the win was a lovely reward after he had been the most lively attacker on either side in the opening half. For the Toronto FC II product, who was born and raised in Ontario, alongside Chapman the local contingent played a big role in the victory.

• Toronto: Friday, May 25 vs. FC Dallas (8 pm ET | TSN1/3/4/5 - Full TV & Streaming Info)
• Orlando: Saturday, May 26 vs. Chicago Fire (7:30 pm ET | Full TV & Streaming Info)