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Toronto FC look to fix issues, Whitecaps face tough trip to Salt Lake: Canadian MLS Week 7 preview

Pedro Morales, Vancouver Whitecaps (Rich Lam/Getty Images)
Pedro Morales, Vancouver Whitecaps (Rich Lam/Getty Images)

Toronto FC will try to snap a three-game losing skid while the Whitecaps will be without a key player for their trip to Salt Lake City. The Impact are off as they prepare for the first leg of the CONCACAF Champions League final, which goes Apr. 22 against Mexico's Club America at the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City.

Here are three key storylines for Canada's MLS teams heading into Week 7 action.

SATURDAY, APRIL 18:

Toronto FC (1-3-0, 3 PTS) at FC Dallas (3-2-1, 10 PTS), 8:30 p.m. ET

1. Quest for chemistry

Toronto FC comes into Saturday's game at FC Dalllas having lost three in a row. Between two early byes and an international week, they've been unable to recapture the form from their opening day win over Vancouver. Michael Bradley, Sebastian Giovinco, and Jozy Altidore should all start and continue to work to create the chemistry they need to have to win consistently.

2. Back line blues II

Centre back continues to be a problem position for the Reds. Damien Perquis has recovered from his calf injury, but Steven Caldwell (calf) remains sidelined and is joined there by Clement Simonin (undisclosed) and potentially Mark Bloom (calf). Perquis and Eriq Zavaleta are expected to start in the middle of TFC's defence.

3. Motivated opponent

Off to an otherwise great start, FC Dallas was on the wrong side of a 4-0 defeat to Colorado last weekend. They've still got a few injuries to contend with, but midfield creator Mauro Diaz is healthy and there's no doubt they'll be keen to bounce back following a rough performance.

Vancouver Whitecaps (4-2-1, 13 PTS) at Real Salt Lake (2-0-3, 9 PTS), 9:30 p.m. ET

1. Unwelcome in Utah

Real Salt Lake lost just once at home last season, going 11-1-4, so it's no surprise the Whitecaps haven't had much success there in the past. Vancouver is 0-3-3 all-time at Rio Tinto Stadium.

2. Missing Morales

A week after deciding not to rest Pedro Morales, Whitecaps head coach Carl Robinson now has no choice but to go on without his captain. Morales was handed a late red card in last week's 1-0 loss to San Jose and MLS has denied Vancouver's appeal to have the automatic one-game suspension rescinded. Nicolas Mezquida or Mauro Rosales could slot into Morales' spot at the top of midfield or Robinson could decide to play with two strikers.

3. Rough and tumble

Through the first seven games the Whitecaps have picked up 22 yellow cards and have committed 107 fouls and lead the league in both categories. They're not afraid to be aggressive, which has helped spur their early season success, though centre back Kendall Waston has to be careful. He's one caution away from receiving a one-match ban.

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Israel Fehr is a writer for Yahoo Canada Sports. Email him at israelfehr@yahoo.ca or follow him on Twitter.