After a mixed bag start to the 2025 MLS Campaign for FC Cincinnati, the Orange and Blue return to The Fortress looking to get back into the win column against a Canadian foe.
TORONTO FC
It’s been a rough start to things for the Reds this season, as the squad finds themselves winless in their first two fixtures. Their season started off with a 2-2 draw away to D.C United, a match which saw the Reds concede two first half goals, a deficit that would prove insurmountable. A week later, TFC would travel to take on Orlando City. Fielding the same starting 11 as the week before, things unfortunately didn’t get any better for the club. After a quiet thirty minutes, the Lions opened the scoring with a Cesar Araujo direct free kick goal. From there things only got worse, with the Reds ultimately losing 4-2.
Despite the rocky start, this Toronto roster is one that features some great playmakers. They retained a good number of players from last year’s roster, and brought in several new signings during the offseason, including Theo Corbeanu, a TFC academy product currently on loan from Grenada FC. Additionally, the Reds brought in Ola Brynhildsen, a striker on loan from FC Midtjylland. Their biggest loss from last season is Prince Osei Owusu, who led the squad in scoring and now reps the stylized fleur-de-lis of CF Montreal.
TFC finds themselves under new, yet familiar, leadership this season. After dismissing John Herdman in November of last year, the Reds ownership brought in former TFC coach Robin Fraser. During his first stint with Toronto (2015-2018) Frasier led the Reds to their first and only MLS Cup in 2017. He now rejoins Toronto after spending the last four years as the head man on the touchline for Colorado Rapids.
THE ORANGE AND BLUE
It is not a stretch to say that the beginning of the 2025 MLS campaign for FC Cincinnati has been a trying one. After starting the season with a hard-fought win versus New York Red Bulls at home, FCC found themselves on the short end of a 4-1 result at Subaru Park in Philadelphia last Saturday. Between MLS and CONCACAF Champions Cup play, FCC has had their ups and downs thus far. Of course, we must remember that they are in the middle of a stretch of six matches in 17 days.
Coming into their second home MLS fixture of the season, the Orange and Blue will look to build off what was a promising showing against Liga MX giant Tigres on Tuesday night. That match may have ended 1-1, but it featured a number of improvements over the squads showing in Philly last Saturday. Another promising sign came in the form of Luca Orellano, who made his season debut in the 65th minute. Despite only playing a limited number of minutes together on Tuesday, what we saw from the combination of Kevin Denkey, Evander, and Luca was promising.
The Orange and Blue have won five of their last six matches against TFC, with the one non-win coming in the form of an Opening Day draw last season at TQL. The Reds have not won in Cincinnati since the Jaap Stam era, when they defeated FCC 1-0 at Nippert Stadium. The FCC faithful will seek another winning performance from their side on Saturday.
MATCH INFO
Where: TQL Stadium
When: Saturday at 7:30 p.m.
Watch: MLS Season Pass and Apple TV+
Recommended for you
