MLS

Toronto FC v Nashville SC: Herdman wanting to see the real Reds after disappointing Chicago display

By Sports Desk June 19, 2024

John Herdman wants to see the real Toronto FC take to the pitch when they welcome Nashville to the BMO Field on Wednesday.

The Reds were comfortably beaten by Chicago Fire last time out, continuing their recent poor form which has seen them lose three of their last four games in front of their home supporters.

Toronto sit seventh in the Eastern Conference, three points behind Colombus Crew, who have the advantage of three games in hand in the coming weeks.

Herdman was animated following the full-time whistle last Saturday, and is looking for his side to be harder to beat as he looks for his side to return to the one he has managed for much of the season.

"While there was effort there and opportunities, we're too soft. We gave goals away tonight," said Herdman. "We've discussed this. We've got to be harder to beat, at home there's got to be an identity that fans can be proud of. That's the first night in my time where I've really shared the disappointment of the fans.”

"I always look for that silver lining, whether it's the effort, being tough, creating opportunities, but tonight we were flat," Herdman levelled. "It's very raw at the moment. We've had some conversations in the dressing room, but we can’t see that again."

"We've got three days to turn this around," he added. "And as I've said to them, 'The real us has to show on Wednesday.' The real us, because that wasn’t us."

Meanwhile, Nashville have the opportunity to close the gap to their opponents should they emerge victorious away from home, something they have been incredibly successful at in recent weeks.

Their draw against New York Red Bulls last time out saw them remain unbeaten in their last three games away from Geodis Park but they will be hoping for a better attacking display from their plethora of forward options.

Nashville attempted six shots against the Red Bulls, failing to register one on target, with those in Rumba Munthali’s ranks not having more than one shot during proceedings.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Toronto FC – Lorenzo Insinge

The experienced Italian will once again be pivotal in Toronto's forward line as the 33-year-old looks to add to his goal against Chicago Fire last time out.

Since arriving in the MLS in 2022, Insigne has scored twice against Nashville, the joint-most he has scored against any other side he has faced.

Nashville – Hany Mukhtar

Hany Mukhtar has once again been in fine form for Nashville, and he will once again look to be the creative spark for the visitors.

The German has notched two assists and a goal in his last three MLS appearances.

MATCH PREDICTION: NASHVILLE WIN

Nashville come into the encounter as favourites and will be hoping to continue their impressive form away from home, having gone unbeaten in their last three away matches (W1 D2), keeping clean sheets in all of those games.

This is the second time Nashville have kept clean sheets in three straight away games, last doing so in 2021, and they look set to continue that record this time around.

Meanwhile, Toronto have won just one of their last seven league games following a three-game unbeaten run, losing three of their four home fixtures in that time.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Toronto – 30.1%

Draw – 24.9%

Nashville – 45%

Related items

  • Host Bahamas, T&T to represent Caribbean in Concacaf Beach Soccer Champs Host Bahamas, T&T to represent Caribbean in Concacaf Beach Soccer Champs

    The Bahamas have once again been selected to host the 2025 Concacaf Beach Soccer Championship, as they, along with Trinidad and Tobago, will be the Caribbean’s representatives in the tournament, which serves as a qualifier for next year’s FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup in the Seychelles.

    Scheduled to take place from March 11 to 16, at the Malcolm Park Beach Soccer Facility in Nassau, the competition will begin with an eight-team group stage—two groups of four teams each.

    Alongside the Bahamas and Trinidad and Tobago are Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Mexico, Panama, and the United States.

    After round-robin play, the two best teams in each group will progress to the knockout stage, which will be contested as a single-match direct elimination semifinals on March 15. This will be followed by a third-place match and final on March 16, where the region’s Beach Soccer Champion will be crowned.

    Additionally, the two finalists will represent the confederation at the 2025 FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup.
     
    The official draw for the 2025 Concacaf Beach Soccer Championship is scheduled for November 26, 2024, with the match schedule to be announced shortly after.

    In the previous edition of the Concacaf Beach Soccer Championship, also played in The Bahamas, last year, the United States won its third Concacaf title (2006, 2013, 2023) after defeating Mexico 5-0 in the final. The two North American nations represented the region at the 2024 FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup in the UAE.

  • Guardiola unhappy with Grealish's selection in England squad Guardiola unhappy with Grealish's selection in England squad

    Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola is unhappy with Jack Grealish's inclusion in the England squad for the November international break.

    Grealish has not played for his club side since a 17-minute substitute appearance in their 2-1 stoppage-time victory over Wolves, which came straight after the previous international window.

    England interim manager Lee Carsley had justified the winger's inclusion in the squad by saying that he had been back in training for "a couple of days" and would be assessed by national team staff.

    But, having already ruled him out of Saturday's match against Brighton, Guardiola found the decision difficult to accept and suggested that Carsley was mistaken about his training activity.

    "National teams always play in this period, and I'm always pleased for players to go when they are fit, and they haven't struggled for the past one, two, three or four weeks," Guardiola told a press conference.

    "In 17 days, he didn't train once. Today was the first training and he trained for 20 minutes. That is the reality.

    "Yes, he was in the gym for a few minutes for the past two days, but it's a question for the manager from the UK [England] – I'm not involved."

    Guardiola had not been in touch with Carsley about the situation, and he was unaware of any conversations between the medical departments at the FA and Manchester City.

    But when talking to Grealish, who is yet to score in 10 appearances in all competitions for City this season, the player wanted to join up with England.

    "They can select who they want," said Guardiola. "Jack has had two or three setbacks in terms of injuries and could not get his rhythm."

  • Arsenal don't need a 'reset' despite poor form, says Arteta Arsenal don't need a 'reset' despite poor form, says Arteta

    Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta does not think that the club need a "reset", despite having failed to win any of their last three Premier League matches.

    The Gunners have taken just one point from matches against Bournemouth, Liverpool and Newcastle, leaving them fifth and seven points behind Arne Slot's side at the summit. 

    They were also beaten 1-0 by Inter in the Champions League in midweek, meaning it is back-to-back defeats in all competitions and just two wins in six.

    But despite their ropey form, Arteta wasn't willing to press the panic button.

    "I don't think about [needing a reset]," he told a press conference. "Nobody works harder than me, I guarantee you that.

    "We don't need a reset. In one particular aspect we need to go from 95 [effort] to 100. I will not tell you what that is."

    Arteta's side travel to Stamford Bridge on Sunday to face Chelsea, who come into the game on the back of an 8-0 thrashing of Noah in the Europa Conference League.

    However, the Spaniard will be confident of returning to winning ways against a favoured opponent during his time as a Premier League boss. 

    Of all managers to face Chelsea at least 10 times in the top-flight, only Kenny Dalglish (77%) has a higher win rate against the Blues than Arteta (60% - W6 D2 L2).

    The absence of captain Martin Odegaard has been felt keenly in the Arsenal team, having picked up an injury playing for Norway in the September international break.

    He made a stoppage-time cameo against Inter in midweek to return to first-team action and will be in the squad to face Chelsea on Sunday.

    Declan Rice, meanwhile, missed the Champions League game through injury and is also a doubt for the trip to Stamford Bridge.

    "I have to be very vague on [Rice] because there is no clarity on if he is going to be fit or not for the weekend," said Arteta.

    "He hasn't trained yet and it is not clear yet whether he is going to be available."

© 2024 SportsMaxTV All Rights Reserved.