A three-game homestand concludes for Toronto on Saturday as they welcome Charlotte FC to BMO Field for the first time in the 2025 MLS campaign.
The Reds remain second from the bottom in the Eastern Conference following a 2-1 defeat in midweek versus the Philadelphia Union, while the Crown are clinging to the final playoff spot in the conference after a 4-2 loss to the New York Red Bulls.
Match preview
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Close but no cigar has often been the story for Robin Fraser in his first season as Toronto's head coach, and unfortunately for him, his side have usually been on the wrong end of those narrow results.
Of their nine league defeats in 2025 thus far, six have been by just a single goal, with four of those ending in a 2-1 loss for the Canadians.
Toronto have lost five of their last six regular-season affairs at BMO Field, including three in a row, equalling the longest losing streak for them at home from last season.
Three times in 2025, this team have scored the opening goal and failed to win, dropping seven points in this competition as a result.
So far this year, Toronto have scored a goal or fewer in eight of their nine domestic fixtures played at BMO Field, with only one of those occurring in the opening half.
TFC have never lost to Charlotte on home soil, claiming two clean sheets against them at BMO Field, including a 1-0 triumph a year ago.
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From a conference contender to a side fighting to stay above the playoff line, the Crown have fallen dramatically down the table over the past month.
Dean Smith's men enter this contest having lost six of their previous seven matches in league play, putting them just two points above the New England Revolution for the final wild-card spot.
They are currently on their longest domestic away losing run in club history (four matches) and have suffered the second-most defeats on the road in MLS this year (six games).
The Crown have lost twice in league play this month when netting the opening goal, and those six points dropped could have them in a tie for third in the East.
Away from home, this side have conceded multiple goals on six occasions, including a combined 13 in their last four MLS road games.
While Charlotte have never beaten the Reds in Toronto, the Crown have won their previous two matches versus Canadian opposition, failing to concede in both of those outings against CF Montreal.
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Team News
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Lower body issues prevented Richie Laryea and Nicksoen Gomis from featuring for Toronto on Wednesday, while Deandre Kerr and Kobe Franklin were forced out with ankle injuries.
The good news for them is that leading goalscorer Federico Bernardeschi will be eligible to return from suspension this weekend, as will Kosi Thompson.
Ola Brynhildsen had the opening goal for TFC against the Union, his second in his last three games played in this competition.
A handful of Charlotte players were unavailable in mid-week, such as Jahlane Forbes, Idan Toklomati and Brandon Cambridge, who all had thigh strains.
Also missing were Tim Ream due to a quad issue, Nathan Byrne had a sore neck and Nimfasha Berchimas was forced out because of a foot injury.
Kerwin Vargas and Liel Abada found the back of the net for them on matchday 16, the second and fifth, respectively, for those players in this competition.
Toronto possible starting lineup:
Johnson; Thompson, Long, Rosted, Petretta; Flores; Etienne, Osorio, Insigne, Corbeanu; Brynhildsen
Charlotte FC possible starting lineup:
Kahlina; Scardina, Malanda, Tuiloma, Marshall-Rutty; Westwood, Williamson; Vargas, Biel, Zaha; Agyemang
We say: Toronto 3-1 Charlotte FC
Having Bernardeschi back should invigorate the Toronto attack, and we expect they will have the lion's share of opportunities versus a Charlotte side that have been leaking goals away from home.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Joel Lefevre
