Toronto FC is finally in its own backyard. After three games on the road, the Reds welcome their BMO Field opener against Chicago Fire this Saturday. For the Canadians, it's a chance to put an end to a maddening start to the season and earn that first elusive win. For Chicago, it's an opportunity to keep their good recent form going against Toronto and pick up points on the road.
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With a mere point from three matches, Toronto enters this MLS match under pressure. Losses to Orlando City and FC Cincinnati exposed defensive frailties, and the offense continues to search for consistency. Chicago, though, arrives with confidence boosted by earning their first win of the season and a five-match unbeaten streak against Toronto.
Toronto FC need to raise their game on home turf
Starting a season with three consecutive road games is never pleasant. Toronto FC found that out the hard way. After a 2-2 draw at DC United to open the season, they were defeated 4-2 by Orlando City and 2-0 by Cincinnati, it became clear there's much work to be done by coach Robin Fraser.
These losses revealed defensive weaknesses and a slow shift from the middle to the front. The side had chances, but a lack of finishing accuracy and mistakes at the back were too large to overcome.
Now, in front of their home fans in BMO Field, the challenge is to change the script. Toronto has historically fared well in home openers: 9 wins in 18 MLS home openers. Additionally, the team has had a clean sheet in six of the victories, something that Robin Fraser would be eager to repeat.
A second advantage of Toronto is their home record against Chicago. Before last season's 4-1 defeat, the Reds were 12 home games without defeat to Fire since 2013 and up to 2023.
To return to winning, the team needs to have the attack-defense ratio perfectly balanced. Federico Bernardeschi, the team's largest star, will be the difference-maker. With a goal and an assist this season, the Italian is Toronto's offense dynamo. He helped on 16 goals last season, and he was the team's most effective player.
Other than Bernardeschi, the new signings need to deliver. Zane Monlouis and Ola Brynhildsen made their debuts in the last game, and they are expected to bring more creativity and energy to the team.
But can Toronto fix their defense in time to stop a Chicago attack that has always troubled them?
Chicago Fire aims to keep their dominance going
While Toronto FC is under pressure, Chicago Fire is brimming with confidence. Having won their first game of the season, they would like to make it six consecutive wins over Toronto, a team that has never beaten them in their last five meetings.
Fire humiliated Toronto with a 4-1 victory at BMO Field last year before settling for a 1-1 draw at SeatGeek Stadium later in the season. Overall, these two teams have faced off 39 times, with an unexpectedly balanced record: 14 Toronto wins, 12 Chicago wins, and 13 draws.
Even away from home, Chicago believes they can give Toronto fits. Head coach Gregg Berhalter is banking on an organized defense plan to ride out Toronto's early pressure and exploit the cracks in their suspect backline.
Offensively, Chicago Fire fares well against Toronto. The club has scored 60 goals in those matches, with former forward Chris Rolfe scoring four career goals against Toronto.
This week, the big threat is Belgian forward Hugo Cuypers, Chicago's big marquee signing for 2025. He has yet to score his first MLS goal but possesses the class to probe a Toronto defense that has leaked eight goals in only three games.