Toronto-Columbus preview

Columbus Crew SC will likely need scoring besides forward Ola Kamara if it is going to have a chance of beating visiting Toronto FC on Wednesday at Mapfre Stadium in Columbus, Ohio.

Kamara has scored all four of the Crew's goals in the past three matches -- a tie and two losses -- and his eight goals for the season have been in the past six games (five starts).

"We're going to have to do a good job shutting off his service," Toronto defender Justin Morrow said. "Our whole backline is going to be attentive to him and his positioning on the field."

Despite Kamara's exploits, the Crew (3-7-7) have a 0-3-2 record in the past five games and one win in 10 matches.

One reason is a leaky defense. A 3-1 defeat at New England on Saturday marked the fourth time in six games that the Crew had allowed three goals.

"We need to get a shutout," Kamara said. "The defenders actually did well (vs. New England) but we were a bit unlucky. We need every player to step up."

Toronto (6-6-5) is coming off a 1-0 win against Chicago on Saturday and, after having tied for the worst defense last season, is third with only 19 goals allowed.

"It's a team effort," Morrow said. "It's something we've focused on since the beginning of the season."

Toronto forward Sebastian Giovinco, the 2015 MLS MVP when he had 22 goals, has not scored in seven games although he has eight goals this season.

"We know it will come because we have seen it before and we know what he is capable of," Toronto coach Greg Vanney said after the Chicago match.