D.C. United-Toronto FC Preview

Toronto FC's top playmakers excelled in a convincing midweek win.

With the Gold Cup taking place next month, Saturday night's match against visiting D.C. United could be the last time Toronto has Michael Bradley and Jozy Altidore until August.

Toronto's three designated players set the tone in Wednesday's 3-1 win over Montreal, the club's fourth victory in five league games. Bradley and Sebastian Giovinco each had a goal and an assist and Altidore also scored as Toronto (7-6-1) matched a season high with eight shots on goal.

"I thought all three of them were excellent," coach Greg Vanney said. "I thought they all played off of each other and combined and created a lot of problems. ... I think it's good for the team, it's good for them and hopefully we have more nights similar to that."

Toronto wasn't at full strength in its only 2015 match with D.C. on June 6, but still managed to end United's 16-game home unbeaten streak. With Bradley in Europe playing for the United States national team and Altidore not entering until the 80th minute due to a hamstring strain, Giovinco stepped up with two goals in a 2-1 win.

Giovinco is among the MLS leaders with eight goals and seven assists. Altidore isn't far behind with six scores, and Bradley has a pair of goals and three assists in his last five league games.

Chris Rolfe leads D.C. (10-5-4) with six goals and he's likely to play after sitting out Wednesday's 1-0 win at Chicago. With his team in the midst of playing six games in 17 days, coach Ben Olsen kept only five starters from Sunday's 2-1 victory over New England. Rolfe had both scores in that one for D.C., which has a 10-point lead over the second-place Revolution in the Eastern Conference.

"Obviously we didn't put out a lineup we usually put out, and for us to come out with three points on the road is big time," said Conor Doyle, who broke a tie with his second goal in the 73rd minute. "Now we have to turn our focus to Toronto."

Bill Hamid was forced to make just one save in recording his fifth shutout. He was given the day off to rest against Toronto earlier this month.

While the defense was sound against the Fire, D.C. has room to improve offensively. United finished with eight shots for their fewest in seven games.

"We could do better with creating better build up," midfielder Markus Halsti said. "But we need to wait to see what sort of tactic we have for that game. We never know."

D.C. went with its 18th starting lineup in 19 games Wednesday and is again expected to go with a different look against Toronto.