Chicago Fire v Toronto FC: Herdman hoping to change Reds’ playoff story

Toronto FC head coach John Herdman has said his side must rediscover their clinical edge upon their MLS return after their Canadian Championship final defeat in midweek.

The Reds were beaten by the Vancouver Whitecaps on penalties after a goalless encounter, with goalkeeper Isaac Boehmer proving to be the hero, making seven saves on the night.

But Herdman was left ruing those missed opportunities as the Whitecaps claimed their third-straight title, insisting his players must respond against the Chicago Fire this weekend.

“We are just not clinical at the moment,” Herdman said. “It’s been a couple games where we’ve been right there knocking on the door but just haven’t been able to find that killer moment or we found a keeper that’s standing on his head.

“That’s the story of TFC at the moment. We’re in the playoff hunt.

“As I said in the dressing room, all I asked is the team showed up, and they did. They have to show up again on Saturday. That’s their next task.”

#CHIvTOR through the years pic.twitter.com/61l5VPNJTl

— Toronto FC (@TorontoFC) September 27, 2024

Chicago, meanwhile, were condemned to back-to-back defeats in the MLS, going down 2-0 to CF Montreal in their last encounter at the Stade Saputo.

That defeat, the Fire’s 16th of the season, leaves them 14th in the Eastern Conference standings, ending their hopes of reaching the playoffs this year.

But with two of their remaining three regular-season fixtures at the SeatGeek Stadium, head coach Frank Klopas has asked his players to give supporters something to cheer after a disappointing campaign.

“We need to finish strong. We need to fight and compete all the way to the end. As long as we have games in front of us, we are professionals and need to play,” Klopas said.

“We need to do our job. We have two home games and regardless of what happens, it’s important, and I have stressed it to the team to finish strongly at home.

“I know it has not been a season with a lot of great moments, but we need to do whatever we can to finish on a positive note and leave a good picture, especially at home.”

T(rain)ing.#cf97 | @DrinkBODYARMOR pic.twitter.com/oZ0yBLJZ0O

— Chicago Fire FC (@ChicagoFire) September 24, 2024

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Chicago Fire –Brian Gutierrez

In the absence of top scorer Hugo Cuypers, Gutierrez will be the man tasked with providing the Fire with an attacking spark at the SeatGeek Stadium.

The American notched an assist in their 4-1 win over Toronto earlier in the season, winning three of his five matches against this weekend’s opponents (D1 L1).

Toronto FC – Jonathan Osorio

Osorio has scored six goals against the Fire, his most against any MLS opponent.

However, he hasn’t scored against the Fire since 2019, failing to find the back of the net in his last five appearances against Chicago.

MATCH PREDICTION: CHICAGO FIRE WIN

The Fire have won three of their last four matches against Toronto, including the last two in a row. Prior to the last four meetings, Toronto were unbeaten in 14 straight matches against Chicago (W11 D3).

However, Herdman’s side have lost seven of their last nine matches in all competitions (D1 L1), including the last two in a row. This is the sixth different losing streak of at least two matches for the Fire this season.

Toronto’s 2-0 loss at the Colorado Rapids last Saturday was their 45th regular season road loss since the start of the 2021 season, four more than any other MLS team in that time (Chicago – 41).

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Chicago Fire – 48%

Draw – 26%

Toronto FC – 26%