Toronto FC midfielder Alonso Coello is desperate to enter the World Cup break with a win over the Chicago Fire on Saturday.

The Reds have struggled in recent weeks, failing to win any of their last seven MLS games (D4 L3) while also being knocked out of the Canadian Championship by Atletico Ottawa.

Toronto lost 3-1 to Charlotte FC last time out, leaving them 11th in the Eastern Conference, nine points behind fourth-place Chicago.

Coello expects a tough test for Toronto against the Fire, but insists they need to win to get back into play-off contention.

"We want to win," he said. "It’s been way too long since our last game coming out with three points.

"We really could use those to get back into the play-off picture.

"They [Chicago] have some different twists tactically that they try and give you problems with. They’re going to make it a very, very difficult game.

"On the ball we have very talented players, we’re waiting for a lot of them to come back from injury.

"But even without them now, we’re still able to dominate teams, and we’re able to impose ourselves, get a lot of final third situations and into dangerous areas.

"Now I think for the most part, [the goal] is for us to be able to execute when we get to those areas and have the trust in ourselves and in each other, and the confidence to be aggressive and score."

Chicago, meanwhile, have turned their form around with back-to-back wins over D.C. United and CF Montreal.

Philip Zinckernagel and Hugo Cuypers were on target against Montreal, securing consecutive league wins for the first time since the start of April.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Chicago Fire – Philip Zinckernagel

Zinckernagel recorded a goal and an assist against Montreal, his 12th game with multiple goal contributions since joining the Fire in 2025.

The only players with more such games in that time are Lionel Messi (20), Anders Dreyer (15) and Evander (14).

Toronto FC – Jonathan Osorio

Jonathan Osorio assisted Derrick Etienne for Toronto's only goal of the game against Charlotte, the 59th of his career (including playoffs).

Osorio is Toronto's all-time assist leader in MLS play (including playoffs), and the only other player to have over 50 is Sebastian Giovinco with 57.  

MATCH PREDICTION – CHICAGO FIRE WIN

Chicago are unbeaten in their last seven matches against Toronto (W4 D3) despite conceding first in each of the last three matches.

It is the third time the Fire have conceded the first goal and avoided defeat in three consecutive regular-season matches against a single opponent (vs Portland Timbers in 2016-18, vs Colorado Rapids in 2009-10).

However, following three straight shutout wins at home, the Fire have lost each of their last two home games, conceding three goals in each.

Nevertheless, Toronto have one win in their last 12 road games in regular-season play (D5 L6). Toronto’s last road win by more than one goal over a team from the United States was a 2-0 victory over Charlotte FC in August 2022.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Chicago Fire – 64.5%

Draw – 18.3%

Toronto FC – 17.2%