Toronto FC head coach Robin Fraser says his group nonetheless have loads of work to do regardless of their current enhancements as they put together to host Nashville SC in MLS.
Toronto didn’t win any of their first eight matches in MLS this season, however have since gained three of the final six, together with an outstanding 6-1 victory over 10-man CF Montreal final day trip.
It was a win that moved them as much as thirteenth within the Jap Convention, although they’re already six factors behind the playoff spots after 14 video games.
Fraser was delighted with final weekend’s end result, however acknowledged that it isn’t sufficient to make up for his or her disappointing starting.
“I believe it’s large [the 6-1 win], however we all know that we nonetheless have a lot extra to do,” he mentioned. “And we all know that now we have to make up for what was not a fantastic begin.
“We’ve obtained one other robust recreation this week, however I needed the gamers to benefit from the Montreal recreation. We confirmed loads of good, mature play and decision-making, which is what made that end result potential.”
House for the weekend
Watch on #MLSSeasonPass: https://t.co/bPraCcwsXX
Additionally on TSN3 pic.twitter.com/14oW7lhGbI
— Toronto FC (@TorontoFC) Could 22, 2025
They host Nashville, who’re at the moment fourth within the East, simply 5 factors behind leaders Philadelphia Union.
Nashville are unbeaten of their final seven matches in all competitions, coming into this recreation having crushed Orlando Metropolis to succeed in the U.S. Open Cup quarterfinals.
And head coach BJ Callaghan highlighted how his group have improved throughout that run by not letting video games slip away from them.
“We frequently mirror and refine on what we’re doing, studying classes from what opponents do to us,” he mentioned.
“It’s then about planning and performing it on the sector. We hold pushing this group ahead step-by-step as we pile extra info on them. They’re doing a fantastic job, and the proof of that’s their performances on the sector.”
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Toronto FC – Federico Bernardeschi
With two targets and two assists in opposition to CF Montreal on Saturday, Federico Bernardeschi grew to become the second Toronto participant to contribute to 4 targets in a single regular-season match (Sebastian Giovinco twice).
Nashville SC – Chris Applewhite
Nashville held D.C. United to simply three pictures in its draw on Saturday, equaling the second fewest the membership has allowed in a regular-season match (two vs. Orlando Metropolis in 2023).
Chris Applewhite led the best way for the defence; he gained 9 of the 13 duels he contested, and eight of his 10 aerial duels, whereas additionally making a game-high seven clearances.
Goin’ north @Fly_Nashville | #TORvNSH pic.twitter.com/eOZc1xPUZX
— Nashville SC (@NashvilleSC) Could 22, 2025
MATCH PREDICTION: NASHVILLE SC WIN
Nashville have gained their final two conferences with Toronto, each within the 2024 season, after going 5 straight with no win in opposition to the Reds (D2 L3).
Nashville are additionally unbeaten in 5 straight regular-season matches (W3 D2) after a scoreless draw with D.C. United on Saturday. That is their longest unbeaten run in league play since a nine-match run in 2023.
In the meantime, Toronto’s 6-1 win over CF Montreal on Saturday marked the primary time in membership historical past the Reds scored six occasions in an MLS match, whereas the five-goal margin of victory equaled their largest in a regular-season match (third time).
OPTA WIN PROBABILITY
Toronto FC – 31.2%
Draw – 25.2%
Nashville SC – 43.6%