During a crucial stretch of the MLS season, Toronto FC are slowly making their way up the Eastern Conference standings. The Reds’ recent schedule saw them play three matches in a span of a week and earned seven points out of a possible nine.

Toronto secured an emphatic 2-1 victory over New England Revolution on August 15, followed by a midweek 3-3 comeback draw with Charlotte FC on August 19 and capped off that period with a first-ever win away to Inter Miami on August 22.

TFC are back at home this weekend as they host New York City FC at BMO Field amid the fun and chaos that is the Canadian National Exhibition.

NYCFC’s recent struggles

The month of August has not been kind to NYCFC thus far — they are yet to win a match in league play.

On August 16, they played Philadelphia Union at Yankee Stadium and let a 2-0 lead slip, ultimately losing 3-2 with the help of a six-minute brace from Uruguayan striker Bruno Damiani. On August 19, they were defeated 2-1 by FC Cincinnati in heart-breaking fashion at TQL Stadium. Cincy Designated Player Evander scored the game-winner in the 91st minute. Last Sunday, August 23, New York drew 1-1 away to the Revolution. NYCFC Head coach Pascal Jansen has U.S. international goalkeeper Matt Freese to thank for the point. Freese made four saves on the day, including a penalty save on Revs captain Carles Gil in the 27th minute.

That result vs. New England was New York’s first point earned since their 1-1 tie with Reds on July 31 in the Bronx. On Tuesday, TFC striker Josh Sargent spoke to reporters, including Waking The Red, on the matchup with NYCFC.

“They’re a quality team, they have good players. Last time we played them, it wasn’t easy. I think we’re in a bit of a better place now mentally as a team, so hopefully it’ll be a good performance again, build off of last week and get a good result,” Sargent said.

This weekend’s fixture between the Pigeons and the Reds is the last stop on their three-game road trip.

The boys in blue will return home for two matches (in different boroughs) on September 4 against Nashville SC at Yankee Stadium and on September 9 against the Revolution at Citi Field in Queens.

NYCFC has already endured one winless month this season, back in April when they gained just two points from five matches. If they want to avoid having two winless months in 2026, Jansen’s injury-plagued squad must put on a solid performance against a red-hot Toronto side.

Courtesy: Shaun McLeod/Canadian Soccer Daily

TFC almost back to full strength

Over the past few years, Toronto FC have been known throughout the league as a team that struggles to stay fit. They even appointed a director of player health and high performance in order to maintain a healthy squad week in, week out.

As of last week’s MLS injury report, TFC only have four names listed. German midfielder and game-changer Niklas Dorsch remains out after undergoing surgery for a facial fracture as a result of Allan Saint-Maximin’s flailing arm during the Charlotte game. Forward Deandre Kerr has dealt with a lower body injury for some time, midfielder Nelson Palacio has been working on reconditioning and should be available for selection this weekend. Captain Jonathan Osorio remains out with a leg injury.

Comparing these four injuries to the heap of personnel that was sidelined earlier in the year, things are looking up for Toronto.

After training on Friday, head coach Robin Fraser and Haitian international winger Derrick Etienne Jr. spoke about NYCFC and the threats they pose, as well as their objectives for this match.

“They’re a really intelligent team. They have a lot of intelligent players, and their ability to manipulate teams is quite good. Their previous results don’t affect the way I look at they, they’re a well-coached, well-organized team, and they have a lot of talented players. If they haven’t had results recently, they’re certainly capable of having results on any day, and we know that. For us, t’s really just our engagement needs to be at its highest,” Fraser said.

“They like small combinations and being able to drive, and they’re also very good on the counter, so we have to be aware of that. We’ll be able to do what we need to do, create spaces for each other, and put our wide guys in good opportunities to attack. Hopefully we’re going to get Josh [Sargent] some chances. What we need to do is make sure that we continue to be compact, good defensively, and we’re going to get chances, we’re going to score. When we don’t give teams goals with cheap giveaways, losing the ball when we don’t need to, we’re a very difficult team to play against, and if we could keep our mistakes very minimal, we’ll be able to create a lot of chances and get some goals,” said Etienne Jr.

A victory for the Reds would put them level with NYCFC on 27 points apiece, and as high as seventh in the Eastern Conference if other results go in their favour.

Related read: 7-point week could be season-defining for Toronto FC: ‘We have to build on this’

Tune in to MLS Season Pass on Apple TV. Kick-off is set for 7:30 p.m. ET.

Projected lineups

Toronto FC: Gavran; Laryea, Zimmerman, Kuscevic, Franklin; Cimermancic, Coello; Mihailovic; Etienne Jr., Sargent, Sallói

New York City FC: Freese; Gray, Martins, Sands, Cavallo; Perea, Fernández, Shore; Ojeda, Magno, Traoré,