Toronto FC head coach Robin Fraser says his team still have a lot of work to do despite their recent improvements as they prepare to host Nashville SC in MLS.

Toronto failed to win any of their first eight matches in MLS this season, but have since won three of the last six, including a superb 6-1 victory over 10-man CF Montreal last time out.

It was a win that moved them up to 13th in the Eastern Conference, though they are already six points behind the playoff spots after 14 games.

Fraser was delighted with last weekend's result, but acknowledged that it is not enough to make up for their disappointing beginning.

"I think it's huge [the 6-1 win], but we know that we still have so much more to do," he said. "And we know that we have to make up for what was not a great start.

"We've got another tough game this week, but I wanted the players to enjoy the Montreal game. We showed a lot of good, mature play and decision-making, which is what made that result possible."

They host Nashville, who are currently fourth in the East, just five points behind leaders Philadelphia Union.

Nashville are unbeaten in their last seven matches in all competitions, coming into this game having beaten Orlando City to reach the U.S. Open Cup quarterfinals.

And head coach BJ Callaghan highlighted how his team have improved during that run by not letting games slip away from them.

"We continually reflect and refine on what we're doing, learning lessons from what opponents do to us," he said.

"It's then about planning and performing it on the field. We keep pushing this group forward step by step as we pile more information on them. They're doing a great job, and the proof of that is their performances on the field."

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Toronto FC – Federico Bernardeschi

With two goals and two assists against CF Montreal on Saturday, Federico Bernardeschi became the second Toronto player to contribute to four goals in a single regular-season match (Sebastian Giovinco twice).

Nashville SC – Chris Applewhite

Nashville held D.C. United to just three shots in its draw on Saturday, equaling the second fewest the club has allowed in a regular-season match (two vs. Orlando City in 2023).

Chris Applewhite led the way for the defence; he won nine of the 13 duels he contested, and eight of his 10 aerial duels, while also making a game-high seven clearances.

MATCH PREDICTION: NASHVILLE SC WIN

Nashville have won their last two meetings with Toronto, both in the 2024 season, after going five straight without a win against the Reds (D2 L3).

Nashville are also unbeaten in five straight regular-season matches (W3 D2) after a scoreless draw with D.C. United on Saturday. This is their longest unbeaten run in league play since a nine-match run in 2023.

Meanwhile, Toronto's 6-1 win over CF Montreal on Saturday marked the first time in club history the Reds scored six times in an MLS match, while the five-goal margin of victory equaled their largest in a regular-season match (third time).

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Toronto FC – 31.2%

Draw – 25.2%

Nashville SC – 43.6%