Dean Smith said he and his Charlotte FC players are riding the wave of positive momentum picked up over the last few weeks as they seek to cement a place in the playoffs. 

Charlotte earned their third consecutive MLS victory last time out after coming from behind to beat Atlanta United 3-2, moving them up to seventh in the Eastern Conference. 

The Crown's run of form has been a welcome boost to their hopes of qualifying for the postseason, having endured a run of nine defeats in 11 league games from April to June. 

And ahead of facing Toronto FC this weekend, Smith explained that the reason behind their improved run was setting the standards in the preparations for matches. 

"I always believed that we would come through it," Smith said. "It was tough and we probably didn't get the points we deserved. But that is football sometimes. 

"It is all about what to do next. And, all the way through it, I would like to think that I haven't changed and that I have never got too high or too low, and that is the case now. 

"We are building towards the end of the season. The goal is to be in the playoff places and to be competitive and getting a result against Toronto will help us achieve that. 

"It's about standards. Make sure you come in on time, you do your preparation. You come out on time to train, and then you train well and make sure everything we are doing is setting that standard."

Toronto, meanwhile, were beaten 1-0 by Eastern Conference high-flyers Nashville SC in their last league game, with Sam Surridge's 28th-minute strike the difference. 

Ahead of facing B.J. Callaghan's side, Toronto had picked up eight points from their previous five matches, having earned just 10 points from their last 10 league games. 

And that upturn in form has given them confidence, with their display against Nashville perhaps meriting more after putting up a resilient display against them. 

While only mustering an expected goals (xG) total of 0.46 from their seven shots, none of which were on target, head coach Robin Fraser was happy with his team's performance.

"Nobody's satisfied with the loss, but what an effort they put in and fought to the very last, fought to the death," Fraser said in his post-match press conference.

"And on a different day, maybe one of those chances late goes in, and you'd say, 'what a great road performance.'"

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Charlotte FC – Wilfried Zaha

Zaha has been in fine form since his move to Charlotte, and is currently enjoying a record-breaking stretch in front of goal for the Crown.

Indeed, he has been involved in a goal in seven straight matches, the longest streak in Charlotte's history, ahead of a five-match run by Pep Biel, which is also active. 

Toronto FC – Theo Corbeanu

Toronto are in need of goals, having terminated Federico Bernardeschi and Lorenzo Insigne's contracts, with Corbeanu likely to be the man tasked with filling that void. 

The Canadian has scored five goals and registered two assists in 21 MLS appearances this season, and he will be keen to add to those totals at the Bank of America Stadium.

MATCH PREDICTION: CHARLOTTE FC WIN

Charlotte have won back-to-back matches against Toronto, including a 2-0 victory when the sides met at BMO Field on May 31. The Crown had managed just one win in their first five against the Reds before winning the last two in a row.

And after winning only three of 14 matches from mid-April through early July, Charlotte has run off three consecutive wins. They have won more than three straight just once in all competitions in club history, a four-match run in 2023.

Toronto's defeat at Nashville SC was just the club's second loss in their last six on the road (W3 D1) dating back to the start of April. In fact, the Reds have only one away losing streak in all competitions over the last 12 months, a three-match run back in March.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Charlotte FC – 59%

Draw – 21.4%

Toronto FC – 19.6%