Toronto FC head coach Robin Fraser is hopeful that his team can build on their hard-fought draw against the Philadelphia Union as they prepare to face the Columbus Crew. With key players to watch and historical data favoring Columbus, the upcoming match at BMO Field promises to be a competitive encounter crucial for Toronto’s playoff aspirations.
Toronto FC head coach Robin Fraser is drawing confidence from his team's recent hard-fought draw against Eastern Conference leaders, the Philadelphia Union, as they prepare to face the Columbus Crew. The upcoming match at BMO Field is crucial for Toronto FC's aspirations to remain competitive this season.
In their previous game, Toronto FC conceded an early goal in the fourth minute, putting them on the back foot. However, the team displayed resilience, with Deandre Kerr scoring a late equalizer in the 91st minute to secure a valuable point. This result was particularly significant given the Union's strong form and position at the top of the Eastern Conference standings.
Despite the positive outcome, Toronto FC remains in 12th place in the Eastern Conference, a significant 14 points adrift of the playoff spots. The team recognizes the importance of building on the momentum gained from the Philadelphia draw as they face a tough challenge against the Columbus Crew, who are known for their high-flying and dynamic play.
Fraser emphasized the need for his team to replicate their performance against Philadelphia, highlighting the battling spirit and determination shown throughout the match. He hopes this approach will keep their playoff hopes alive as they navigate a challenging part of the season. "That is the thing I really admire about this team, that they just don’t really quit,” Fraser stated, acknowledging the team's unwavering commitment.
Reflecting on the Philadelphia game, Fraser noted the potential for the early setback to demoralize the team. “To give up a goal in the first four minutes, how many times have we seen that turn into six,” he commented, underscoring the importance of the team’s mental fortitude. He added, “So the fact that we gave up, what I thought was a pretty poor, goal early on, could have been a little bit of a back breaker. Huge credit to the team.”
Fraser also highlighted the difficulty of playing in Philadelphia, describing it as “one of the hardest places to play in the league.” He emphasized the need for constant mental focus and the consequences of any lapses in concentration. “You can not take a mental break. If you do, they [Philadelphia] punish you,” he explained.
He praised the team’s effort to stay competitive and create scoring opportunities, saying, “Really proud of the effort to keep ourselves in it, and then to create chances down the stretch, I can’t really say enough about our performance.” Fraser's words reflect his appreciation for the team’s hard work and determination.
Toronto FC will need to be at their best when they face Wilfried Nancy's Columbus Crew. The Crew have been in excellent form, having lost only twice in their last eight MLS matches and achieving success in the Leagues Cup, winning two of their three matches. The Crew are currently fifth in the Eastern Conference, seven points behind Philadelphia and level on points with Orlando City SC, who are fourth.
Key players to watch in the upcoming match include Diego Rossi for Toronto FC and Djordje Mihailovic for the Columbus Crew. Rossi has been a consistent goal scorer, reaching the 12-goal mark for the fifth time in seven MLS seasons. Mihailovic, on the other hand, made an immediate impact for Toronto FC by assisting Kerr’s equalizer against Philadelphia on his debut.
Looking at match predictions, Columbus Crew is favored to win. They suffered a 3-1 defeat to Orlando City in their last regular-season match, and they will be keen to avoid consecutive league losses, something they have not experienced since May 2023. Meanwhile, Toronto FC has struggled at home, winning only two of their last 17 home matches in all competitions.
Historically, Columbus has dominated the series against Toronto FC, winning six of their last seven meetings, including the last three in a row. The only extended winning streak by either team was a four-match run by the Crew in 2012-13. According to Opta's win probability, Toronto FC has a 20.9% chance of winning, a draw is at 21.5%, and Columbus Crew has a 57.7% chance of securing the victory.
Toronto FC must leverage the positive momentum from their draw against Philadelphia and address their home form to stand a chance against the in-form Columbus Crew. The match promises to be a competitive encounter, with both teams vying for crucial points in their respective campaigns.