Robin Fraser believes that defensive improvements were the key to Toronto FC who stopped their winless start of the season, because they try to generate some momentum against New York City.
Toronto started their first MLS campaign under Fraser with an eight-game Winless Streak, before he earned a Smash-and-Grab 1-0 triumph over Real Salt Lake last weekend.
That result also stopped the longest Windless Run in the history of the Reds in all competitions, because they had turned 14 without victory in a streak that extended until last season.
Suddenly they are unbeaten in four, after they have signed three consecutive games before they beat RSL.
“I think the team feels a huge sigh of relief and much proud,” said Fraser prior to Saturday's game. “It wasn't nice, but sometimes you have to win those games.”
Asked what had changed for his team, he added: “I think it might have been four games ago that we spoke about this,” don't bend “mentality.
“We have given up 12 goals in our first five games, and in our last four we have given one. It simply goes to the level of dedication and involvement with which the players now play.
“It wasn't nice, but it was important. And now that mentality must remain the same.”
Back at our house
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– Toronto FC (@torontofc) April 24, 2025
They brought the seven points of Toronto of nine games in 14th place in the Eastern Conference, four places and four points behind New York City.
The Pascal Jansen team lost 2-0 to the New England Revolution last week and did not win on the road this year, but he is convinced that they will respond in Canada.
“Since I worked with my boys from the first day, the training of the training is fantastic,” said Jansen.
“We put the game to bed on Monday, when we had the review, made a number of new focal points in the rest of the week, and they did that until today. So we hope we can reset and be able to do better on Saturday in Toronto.”
Players to watch
Toronto FC – Theo Corbeanu
Last week Corbeanu scored the winning goal of Toronto with the first shot of the game in the ninth minute. Real Salt Lake Outshot Toronto 23-1 The rest of the road with Toronto's some other attempt in the 66th minute.
After opening his account for the season, Toronto will hope that the former Wolves man can make the difference again.
New York City – Maxi Moralez
Moralez set up five shots for his teammates last week and recorded his 31st career game with five or more opportunities created.
No other NYCFC player has reached more than 11 of such games in the MLS history of the club.
Match forecast – Win New York City
New York has only won one of their last 20 road races in all competitions that goes back to May 2024 (D9 L10), including losing three of the four on the road this season (D1).
NYCFC also did not score in six of their last eight road races.
However, they will be confident to kill that trend against one of their favorite opponents.
NYCFC has won four straight matches against Toronto in all competitions, the longest winning run through both teams in the series (27 games).
Opta wins probability
Toronto FC – 30%
New York City – 45.2%
Drawing – 24.9%