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United-Toronto FC Preview

Aug 14, 2009 - 4:34 PM By SANTOSH VENKATARAMAN STATS Senior Writer

D.C. (6-4-10) at Toronto FC (7-7-6), 4:00 p.m. EDT

Last weekend, D.C. United and Toronto FC were both humbled by European powerhouse Real Madrid.

The clubs should be far more competitive as they return to MLS play Saturday when D.C. visits Toronto in a key Eastern Conference clash.

United (6-4-10) are in third place in the East with 28 points, one ahead of Toronto (7-7-6). Each team got a taste of world-class soccer last weekend when Toronto lost 5-1 to Real Madrid on Friday and D.C. fell 3-0 to the Spanish club Sunday.

While those high-profile exhibition matches provided stern tests, both clubs are excited for their second meeting of the season after playing to a 3-3 draw May 9 at RFK Stadium. United had won five of the previous six meetings.

"We always have big games against D.C. and it's one that we need to win," Toronto captain Jim Brennan said. "It's vital that we win. The guys are ready, you can tell by the mood in the camp at the moment. It's three points that we have to get and if we're going to do a playoff push, it starts this Saturday."

Toronto is playing an MLS match at home for the first time since July 18, and this contest precedes three straight road games.

It will probably have to use a makeshift back line, with Marvell Wynne out due to a hamstring injury and fellow defender Nick Garcia listed as questionable with a calf injury. Toronto should get a boost because defender Nana Attakora has recovered from a hamstring injury, and expects to be in the lineup.

"I'm feeling great," Attakora said. "I was great today. Monday, it was rough for me on Monday, I could barely breathe. But now I've got my legs back and I'm happy."

Toronto will need a big effort from its defense against D.C., which has scored a league-high 34 goals this season. United have 19 goals on the road but are 1-4-6 away from RFK Stadium.

"We drop off on the road and let teams come at us," D.C. midfielder Santino Quaranta said. "I think attacking is our strength and we kind of get into this protective mode that if we score early we get into this mode of trying to worry about teams coming back at us."

Quaranta and defender Bryan Namoff are each listed as probable with hamstring strains. In addition, United will have to replace midfielder Ben Olsen, who is suspended for an accumulation of yellow cards.

Toronto will be without forward Chad Barrett, who is suspended after being sent off in a 1-1 tie at New England on Aug. 1. Leading scorer Dwayne De Rosario will try to add to his total of eight goals - the midfielder scored twice in the tie at D.C. in May.