Toronto FC head coach Robin Fraser is looking for readability over the way forward for Lorenzo Insigne, who has been not noted of the Reds’ squad for Saturday’s season opener at D.C. United.
Insigne has been out within the chilly since Fraser changed John Herdman, having reportedly been informed he doesn’t match into the brand new coach’s tactical plans.
The previous Napoli attacker, nevertheless, rejected three presents to go away Toronto in the course of the mid-season switch window, supposedly from Actual Valladolid, Venezia and Sivasspor.
Toronto should now resolve whether or not to reintegrate Insigne, who has scored 14 targets in 54 MLS appearances since arriving in Canada in 2022.
Fraser is uncertain in regards to the Italian’s standing, although he is not going to be concerned when Toronto go to Audi Area this weekend.
“He’s in Toronto for the time being,” Fraser informed reporters on Thursday. “I actually can’t say an excessive amount of about it. I feel a whole lot of what’s transpiring predates my even coming right here.
“I might say that there’s not an entire lot I can say about that. I feel that it’s a scenario for which we’re looking for some decision and positively, that’s the steerage of the group.
“I might say that not a lot actually has modified. I do know there’s been a whole lot of hypothesis within the final in all probability seven to 14 days however once more that’s probably not for me to touch upon.”
Captain Jonathan Osorio was additionally requested about Insigne’s standing, saying: “That scenario is between Lorenzo and the membership.
“It’s actually not my place or some other participant’s place to talk on it, truthfully.”
Toronto missed the playoffs for a fourth straight season in 2024, and D.C. – after a powerful begin below Troy Lesesne – additionally missed out the postseason, ending behind Atlanta United on objective distinction.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
D.C. United – Christian Benteke
Benteke equalled a D.C. United membership file by scoring 23 targets within the 2024 season (alongside Raul Diaz Arce in 1996).
The previous Liverpool man scored 9 headed targets final 12 months, equalling the second-most by any participant in a single season since Opta started detailed knowledge assortment of MLS in 2010 (Josef Martinez – 10 in 2018).
Toronto FC – Theo Corbeanu
Prince Osei Owusu, who has joined CF Montreal, led Toronto with 9 targets within the 2024 common season. It was the fifth straight season that no Reds participant reached 10 targets.
Corbeanu will hope to contribute in assault, having rejoined Toronto on mortgage from Spanish membership Granada in January.
MATCH PREDICTION – D.C. UNITED WIN
Toronto misplaced 19 occasions final season, the membership’s fourth straight marketing campaign with 18 or extra losses, the longest streak of seasons with 18 or extra losses by any workforce in MLS historical past.
D.C., in the meantime, have gained 4 straight season-opening matches, together with a 3-2 win over Toronto to start 2023.
Los Angeles FC (seven straight) are the one workforce with an extended energetic profitable streak in season-opening matches in MLS.
D.C. are additionally unbeaten in eight straight dwelling matches towards Toronto (W3 D5) relationship again to 2017. Although Toronto are anticipated to enhance this 12 months, D.C. are awkward opponents, notably at Audi Area.
OPTA WIN PROBABILITY
D.C. United – 51%
Toronto FC – 24.1%
Draw – 24.9%
