Torontovs.Chicago Fire

The Reds conceded twice in the final 45 minutes last week, losing 2-0 to FC Cincinnati, while the Fire came from behind to defeat Dallas 3-1.

Match preview

It was another solid opening 45 minutes for Toronto last week, but in the end their defensive line failed to hold it together in the latter stages.

Robin Fraser's men have conceded four second-half goals in the competition this year, while netting just once in the opening 45 minutes of play.

TFC are now winless in eight consecutive regular season encounters, claiming just two positive results during that run.

They ended the 2024 regular season with three consecutive defeats, scoring just a single goal over that span, with their last domestic victory at BMO Field occurring against Austin FC last September (2-1).

Toronto have not lost their MLS home opener since 2022, when the New York Red Bulls beat them 4-1, with this team defeating Charlotte FC in their first domestic encounter at BMO Field a year ago (1-0).

It has been a long time since this club began an MLS campaign without a victory in their first four games, with the Reds losing their opening nine fixtures in 2012.

Early into his tenure as Chicago head coach, Gregg Berhalter has seen his side show plenty of resilience, earning points in their last two matches when faced with a second-half deficit.

On Saturday, the former USA boss can do something no manager has done with this club since Frank Klopas in June 2023, win consecutive league contests away from home.

Chicago are winless in their last three MLS encounters when scoring the opening half goal, doing so in their first two matches of this season.

The Fire have failed to win their last two matches in this competition when ahead or even at the interval, with their previous such victory coming at home to the New York Red Bulls last September (2-1).

With four points after three domestic encounters, the Fire are off to their best start to a regular season since 2022, when they had five points after three matchdays.

They have points in their previous two visits to BMO Field, winning this exact fixture 4-1 in 2024, and on Saturday they can win consecutive trips to Toronto for the first time since 2012.

Toronto Major League Soccer form:

Chicago Fire Major League Soccer form:

Team News

Lower body injuries kept a handful of Toronto players out of the lineup against Cincy, including Richie Laryea, Henry Wingo, Sigurd Rosted and Raoul Petretta.

Laryea could be back this weekend as he and Jonathan Osorio were named to the Canadian squad for their upcoming CONCACAF Nations League fixture with Mexico next week.

Zane Monlouis and Ola Brynhildsen made their first starts for the Reds in their previous match, while Lorenzo Insigne was not on the team sheet and has yet to feature this season.

Chicago are also dealing with a series of injuries, as Maren Haile-Selassie, Philip Zinckernagel, Carlos Teran and David Poreba were all unavailable last weekend due to lower body problems.

Meanwhile, Rominigue Kouame, Chase Gasper and Dylan Borso were unavailable against Dallas for that same reason, while Chris Mueller was on paternity leave to witness the birth of his new baby.

Andrew Gutman, Leonardo Barroso and Hugo Cuypers all scored in the final eight minutes of their match with the Toros to turn the tide of that contest in their favour.

Toronto possible starting lineup:

Johnson; Thompson, Monlouis, Long, Franklin; Longstaff, Coello, Etienne; Osorio; Bernardeschi, Brynhildsen

Chicago Fire possible starting lineup:

Brady; Barroso, Rogers, Elliott, Gutman; Pineda, Acosta, Gutierrez; Barlow, Cuypers, Bamba

We say: Toronto 3-2 Chicago Fire

These are the two worst defensive units in the Eastern Conference, with Toronto allowing eight goals thus far and the Fire just one fewer.

Look for there to be plenty of chances on both sides Saturday, with the home crowd's energy helping the Reds claim their first victory of the season.

Written by

Joel Lefevre

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