September 25, 2024; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; Toronto FC forward Federico Bernardeschi (10) dribbles the ball against Vancouver Whitecaps FC defender Sam Adekugbe (3) during the second half at BC Place. Mandatory credit: Anne-Marie Sorvin-Imagn Photographs
Toronto FC isn’t making things easy throughout its quest for the playoffs.
The Chicago Hearth, meanwhile, appears to be limping along to the end of another disappointing season.
Each team looks to avoid a third straight loss when they meet Saturday night in Bridgeview, Illinois.
At the start of this day, Toronto (11-17-3, 36 points) occupies eighth place in the Eastern Conference, still in place in the playoffs with three games to play. There are, however, five clubs in position to overtake TFC in the standings.
It didn’t help that Toronto went on a 3-1-0 streak with back-to-back 2-0 league losses to Columbus and Colorado. Toronto also fell to rival Vancouver – via penalty shootout – in the Canadian Championship on Wednesday.
“Whether it’s the precision of our shots at the top of the floor, whether it’s crosses at the near post or simply not being there at the right second, it’s a constant theme over the two games now,” Toronto coach John Herdman said.
“We just can’t find a way to win a soccer game. »
Toronto has been held to two goals or less in 16 consecutive MLS games. This includes a 4-1 home loss to Chicago on June 15. Lorenzo Insigne (four goals in 2024) scored Toronto’s only goal, but has not scored in his 11 league games since.
Teammate Federico Bernardeschi has a team-leading eight goals, but none in his last nine. He did not participate in the first clash of the season against Chicago (7-16-8, 29 points), penultimate in the East.
The Hearth have collected four points in their last seven matches and have also been shut out losing two in a row against Nashville SC and CF Montreal.
The Hearth are expected to miss the playoffs for a seventh consecutive campaign.
“The guys and I are not happy with the situation we are in,” midfielder Gaston Gimenez said. “So we have to go out there every game and give everything we have, leave it on the field. »
Budding Hearth star Brian Gutierrez (six goals, three assists) has recorded one assist in Toronto this season.
–Field level media
