Weekend Predictions - Toronto FC vs. Columbus Crew, Battle for the Trillium Cup

This week's fixtures in the MLS are full of exciting possibilities. Here is a prediction for one fixture that caught my eye.

Toronto FC at Columbus Crew, Saturday 3/28/09 - 4:00 PM

Injuries and National Team Duty:

Toronto: OUT: FW O’Brian White (knee); QUESTIONABLE: DF Nana Attakora-Gyan (hip flexor.

Amado Guevara -- Honduras (March 28th at Trinidad & Tobago, April 1 vs. Mexico) Carl Robinson -- Wales (March 28th vs. Finland, April 1 vs. Germany)

Columbus: OUT: MF Pat Noonan (lower back strain); QUESTIONABLE: MF Robbie Rogers (L hamstring strain)

Alejandro Moreno -- Venezuela (March 28th at Argentina, March 31 vs. Colombia)Frankie Hejduk -- USA (March 28th at El Salvador, April 1 vs. Trinidad & Tobago)Duncan Oughton -- New Zealand (two friendlies at Thailand, Saturday 28th and March 31)

It's a shame that both squads will not be at full strength. Toronto will not have the services of Guevara and Robinson but Columbus will have to suffer the loss of Hejduk and Moreno to National team duty and Noonan and possibly Rogers to injury. This game will certainly test the depth of Columbus, who didn't play particularly well against Houston last week. Look for Columbus to reverse the trend of last week, where they employed a pragmatic defensive tactic against the Dynamo. They will come out attacking, looking to set the tone in front of their supporters, who haven't seen them at home since they captured the MLS Cup last year. Toronto will exploit this to their advantage and turn the game in their favor with some well timed counter attacks. Look for De Rosario to take advantage of any loss of shape or over zealous attacking on the part of the Crew.

Score: 2-1 Toronto FC

Tid bits to look for:

1) Will Pablo Vitti play for Toronto FC?

2) Will Steven Lenhart get the start for Columbus?

3) Who will win the battle of the supporters?