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Whitecaps host the champions, Toronto FC get their stars back: Canadian MLS Week 5 preview

Russell Teibert, Vancouver Whitecaps, and Robbie Keane, Los Angeles Galaxy (Jeff Gross/Getty Images)
Russell Teibert, Vancouver Whitecaps, and Robbie Keane, Los Angeles Galaxy (Jeff Gross/Getty Images)

Toronto FC has lost two straight since beating Vancouver in the season opener while the Whitecaps have gone the other way, reeling off three wins in a row. The Montreal Impact have a bye this weekend.

Here are three key storylines for Canada's MLS teams heading into Week 5 action.

SATURDAY, APRIL 4:

Toronto FC (1-2-0, 3 PTS) at Chicago Fire (1-3-0, 3 PTS), 3 p.m. ET

1. Bradley and Altidore return

Michael Bradley and Jozy Altidore missed Toronto FC's 2-1 loss to Real Salt Lake last Sunday due to international duty with the U.S. men's national team. They're back for the Fire game, giving TFC's lineup an obvious boost.

2. Back-line blues

The Reds will likely be without starting centre backs Steven Caldwell and Damien Perquis, both nursing calf injuries, against Chicago. With Eriq Zavaleta and Mark Bloom being rested, that leaves Nick Hagglund, 22, and Clement Simonin, 23, to deputise in the middle of TFC's defence and try to contain creative Fire forward Harry Shipp.

3. Giovinco breakthrough?

Sebastian Giovinco has settled in nicely with Toronto but he's still looking for his first MLS goal. Don't be surprised to see Giovinco open his account on a free kick and he should have plenty of opportunities to strike from a set piece on Saturday afternoon.

Los Angeles Galaxy (1-1-2, 5 PTS) at Vancouver Whitecaps (3-1-0, 9 PTS), 10 p.m. ET

1. You come at the king, you best not miss

Even though they're off to a slow 1-1-2 start, Landon Donovan retired in the offseason, and his replacement, Liverpool star Steven Gerrard, has yet to arrive, the defending champion Galaxy are still dangerous. The Whitecaps have beat Los Angeles just once in 12 tries and league MVP Robbie Keane and fellow forward Gyasi Zardes are keen to make it one out of 13 for Vancouver.

2. First time for everything

Believe it or not, the Whitecaps have never won four straight games in four-plus years of MLS play. They enter Saturday's game with three consecutive victories though they know it won't be easy to get win No. 4 against the Galaxy.

3. Outstanding Ousted

Vancouver's goalkeeper David Ousted has been sensational through the season's opening month. He has kept two clean sheets during the Whitecaps' winning streak and will be counted on to be strong in net again on Saturday night.

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