Robin Fraser insisted that his winless Toronto FC aspect are relishing their journey to the TQL Stadium to tackle FC Cincinnati within the MLS this weekend.
Fraser, who returned to the MLS in January after a profitable four-year stint with the Colorado Rapids, is but to get his first win on the board together with his new staff.
Toronto had been overwhelmed 4-2 by Orlando Metropolis final trip, which adopted their 2-2 with D.C. United of their season-opener, with their first sport on house soil coming subsequent weekend.
Fraser has taken cost of two video games towards Cincinnati, profitable one and shedding the opposite, and he was fast to acknowledge the duty forward of his gamers.
“I used to be enthusiastic about that the opposite evening and the gamers they’ve. I do not know about how a lot cash they’ve spent during the last couple of years,” Fraser stated.
“I do know they’ve spent some cash on some forwards and midfielders, and it looks like a staff that could be very well-stacked and outfitted. What do I count on? A very good staff.
“They’ve athleticism all over. Energy, measurement, they’re staff. There’s a motive why they’ve carried out so properly during the last couple of years.
“I do know it’s wedged between a few Champions League video games, however they don’t seem to be solely good, however they’re additionally very deep. I actually count on it to be an excellent staff with numerous gamers that may damage you in numerous totally different locations.”
Cincy certain this weekend
Watch on #MLSSeasonPass: https://t.co/gBXi79hJ8k
Additionally on TSN5 pic.twitter.com/2iJp46TdDN
— Toronto FC (@TorontoFC) March 6, 2025
And regardless of failing to register a win to this point this season, Cincinnati head coach Pat Noonan is anticipating a tricky check towards Toronto this weekend.
Cincinnati recovered from their 4-1 thrashing by Philadelphia Union of their final MLS sport with a 1-1 draw of their CONCACAF spherical of 16 conflict towards Tigres in midweek.
Noonan additionally had phrases of reward for his reverse quantity, who has gained six main honours throughout his managerial profession within the MLS.
“They’ve a brand new supervisor, and with that all the time comes new concepts. It’s early, so we’re wanting on the two regular-season video games and the construction with a number of the issues now we have seen,” Noonan stated.
“However Robin has had nice success on this league, so that could be a matter of time, although the outcomes haven’t been of their favour of late. Having to play your first three video games on the street isn’t straightforward.
“We attempt to concentrate on our group as a lot as we will and the restoration. Now we have ready them, and we will see a number of the variations. There shall be no comparability to final yr. It’s simply the personnel that’s accessible.”
PLAYERS TO WATCH:
Cincinnati – Sergio Santos
After lacking the primary two video games of the regular-season with a leg damage, Santos returned to motion for Cincinnati towards Tigres in midweek, and could possibly be match to start out this weekend.
And he has loved fixtures towards Toronto in recent times. The Brazilian has scored seven of his 26 profession MLS targets in 9 matches towards them, his most towards any opponent.
Toronto FC – Sigurd Rosted
Rosted scored his first profession aim for Toronto final trip, changing into simply the second defender to attain a aim for the membership since Might 2023, together with Raoul Petretta, who did so in Might 2024.
He additionally ended the competition towards Orlando with 56 correct passes whereas additionally creating one likelihood, a complete solely bettered for Toronto by Theo Corbeanu (two).
MATCH PREDICTION: CINCINNATI WIN
The Orange and Blue are unbeaten in six straight matches towards Toronto, profitable 5 of the six conferences in that point. The one time they’ve prevented defeat in that span was of their final go to to Cincinnati, a scoreless attract February 2024.
They opened their season with a 1-0 house win over the New York Pink Bulls, with Cincinnati final profitable consecutive regular-season house matches solely as soon as for the reason that begin of final marketing campaign, rising victorious in three in a row between April and Might.
Toronto, in the meantime, have gained solely six of their final 61 regular-season away matches relationship again to August 2021 (D15 L40). The Reds have managed to keep away from defeat in 4 of their final six on the street in league play (W2 D2 L2), although.
OPTA WIN PROBABILITY:
Cincinnati – 64.4%
Draw – 19%
Toronto – 16.6%
