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Crew-Toronto FC Preview

More eyes may be on another game involving teams from Ontario and Ohio, but there's still plenty at stake when Toronto FC and Columbus Crew SC renew their rivalry Saturday.

Both clubs also are adjusting to the absences of impact forwards as they enter the first leg of this season's Trillium Cup series.

Crew SC hits the road for the first time since abruptly trading Kei Kamara to New England last week, nixing a head-to-head matchup with Sebastian Giovinco and showdown between last season's MLS MVP and runner-up. While Toronto will have Giovinco on the pitch, Jozy Altidore will miss his second consecutive match with a hamstring strain expected to sideline the American star into July.

Each was able to compensate somewhat for those key departures to earn draws last time out, with Columbus recording a 1-1 deadlock with Western Conference-leading Colorado last Saturday and the Reds rallying for a 1-1 stalemate with New York City FC on Wednesday.

Those results were considered unsatisfying for both clubs, and the outcome has particularly increased the urgency for Columbus (2-4-4). Crew SC heads to BMO Field ninth in the East and on a three-game winless streak with two of its next three on the road against conference contenders.

"It's just that we have got to find each other. And once we get going, once we get the results, I think it will automatically happen," midfielder Mohammed Saeid said. "This has always has been a good team, we always do well in training. But we just have got to transition that into games."

Columbus will need to improve upon its 0-3-2 road mark in order to gain ground. It's been outscored 6-2 away from home.

Crew SC did record a 2-0 victory at Toronto in October to reclaim the Trillium Cup and capture the trophy for the sixth time in eight years. Columbus went 2-0-1 against the Reds last season after Toronto swept the three-game series in 2014.

Will Johnson's late first-half score got Toronto (4-4-3) a point at home Wednesday, though New York City rested several starters in preparation for Saturday's New York Derby against the Red Bulls. The Reds were without a few notables as well, with Mo Babouli registering an assist in place of Altidore and midfielders Jonathan Osorio and Marky Delgado also out with injuries.

"When the big guys are out, others have to step up and fill the void," Johnson said. "That's going to be done by committee. We didn't quite have the firepower to get the second. That's the part that's disappointing."

Columbus is counting on Ola Kamara and Cedrick Mabwati to step up for Kei Kamara, whose 22 goals in 2015 tied Giovinco for the league lead. Mabwati earned his first start of the season against Colorado and responded with the club's lone goal.

Toronto concludes a four-game homestand and moved Saturday's start time to 5 p.m. EST, presumably to avoid conflicting with Game 3 of the NBA Eastern Conference finals at Air Canada Centre.

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