Toronto 'too good to be in a hole every week', says Fraser

Robin Fraser claimed Toronto FC are "too good to be in a hole every week" in MLS as they prepare to welcome Nashville SC to BMO Field.

For the eighth time this season, Toronto found themselves behind in a league game after conceding early on against the Chicago Fire, but then they twice gave up the lead before Derrick Etienne's 92nd-minute goal salvaged a thrilling 4-4 draw.

It is a result that stretched Toronto's unbeaten streak to six matches, but it saw them miss the chance to move into the playoff spots – they are 11th, just one point behind ninth-place Philadelphia Union.

And Fraser was left slightly frustrated after their draw with the Fire. Despite lauding their character to come from behind, he noted that they should not be putting themselves in this position in the first place.

"What they did at the end [against Chicago] is incredibly commendable," he told reporters.

"I can't say enough about it, but we can't wait until we're down to show that sort of urgency. I think we're too good to be in a hole every week.

"We show how good we are because we climb our way out of it, but the fact of the matter is we can't keep putting ourselves in holes.

"We know that at this point, we need three points, not one point."

Next up is the Eastern Conference leaders Nashville SC, who are also on a six-game unbeaten run, though they saw a run of four wins snapped by a 0-0 draw against New York City FC.

Nashville remain 10 points clear of Inter Miami at the top of the East, and head coach BJ Callaghan remains optimistic despite a disappointing performance in New York.

"We want to get three points every game, home or away," he said. "That's the objective.

"We didn't meet that [against NYCFC], but when we look at the performance, I think there's a lot of positives that we're going to walk away with, and a lot of things we can take with us.

"But now we need to turn the page and look to Toronto."

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Toronto FC – Josh Sargent

Josh Sargent scored his first career hat-trick against the Fire last time out, helping Toronto on their way to a thrilling draw.

He has scored four goals and registered one assist in his last four games and could play a vital role in Toronto securing a playoff berth this season.

Nashville SC – Hany Mukhtar

Nashville drew a blank for the first time in six games against NYCFC last time out, though it was not for lack of trying.

Hany Mukhtar had a team-high five of their 13 shots, though he failed to get any of his attempts on target despite generating 1.1 expected goals (xG).

MATCH PREDICTION: NASHVILLE SC WIN

Nashville have got the better of Toronto of late, unbeaten in the last six MLS matches between the two clubs.

A win for Toronto would be their first against Nashville in MLS since August 2022, having been outscored eight goals to three in the six games since then.

Nashville are unbeaten in their last six MLS matches, with four wins sandwiched between two draws during that streak.

The hosts are also on a six-game unbeaten streak, though they have drawn four of their matches on this run and won just two.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Toronto FC – 29.2%

Draw – 24.6%

Nashville SC – 46.2%