John Herdman says Toronto FC need to make big changes amid a five-match winless streak, promising to banish their old ways ahead of Saturday's visit to the New York Red Bulls.
Wednesday's 2-1 defeat to Nashville SC was the third time in five games that Toronto have dropped a match due to goals in the 90th minute or later.
They have slipped to seventh in the Eastern Conference, seven points behind the Red Bulls and only four clear of the Philadelphia Union, who are outside the playoff spots.
Reflecting on Toronto's latest disappointing result, Herdman said: "I was proud of about 60 minutes but that last 30 again, it just feels like old TFC is back.
"We just wobble, we look unsure, we look timid. We look like we can score. But when we look like we can score we look like they're going to score the either way very quickly, and that's a challenge.
"I can point fingers at the players but the staff have got to take a big responsibility as well. We're making those changes."
The Red Bulls, meanwhile, are flying high in third place, having fought back from two goals down in a 2-2 draw with CF Montreal in midweek.
Head coach Sandro Schwarz said after that match: "Especially in the second half it was a great mentality, and there was great energy from the whole team.
"I'm not frustrated because I want us to play the way I like, to be dominant. If you want to be successful, you have to learn that you don't lose your energy and stay at the highest level.
"That is important for us, not to lose our principles."
PLAYERS TO WATCH
New York Red Bulls – Dante Vanzeir
Vanzeir's seven assists are more than any other Red Bulls player has managed in MLS this season, while only Emil Forsberg (29) and John Tolkin (27) have bettered his 19 chances created for the team.
Toronto FC – Federico Bernardeschi
Bernardeschi has been involved in 12 goals in his last seven MLS matches dating back to late April (seven goals, five assists).
Only Sebastian Giovinco (14 between July and August 2016) has recorded more goal contributions in a span of seven matches in Toronto's MLS history.
MATCH PREDICTION: NEW YORK RED BULLS WIN
Toronto have only won one of their last 29 regular-season away matches dating back to late 2022, though they have taken a point from their last two road trips.
The Red Bulls, meanwhile, are unbeaten in 11 home matches in all competitions dating back to the end of last season (seven wins, four draws), their longest home unbeaten streak since a 16-match stretch in 2016.
They have also won their last six home games against Toronto by an aggregate score of 13-1.
OPTA WIN PROBABILITY
New York Red Bulls – 63.6%
Toronto FC – 17%
Draw – 19.4%
San Jose Earthquakes v LA Galaxy: Vanney lauds 'tireless worker' Pec
Greg Vanney hailed "tireless worker" Gabriel Pec after the Brazilian continued his excellent form with a goal against Real Salt Lake.
The Galaxy beat RSL 1-0 last time out to join them and their city rivals Los Angeles FC on 37 points at the summit of the Western Conference.
Pec netted his sixth MLS goal of the season in that victory, while the winger has also provided six assists.
And ahead of the Galaxy facing the San Jose Earthquakes, Vanney was full of praise for Pec.
“The guy is a tireless worker. He's a horse," he said, via The Galactic Tribune.
"It's like I think he's played 50 games in each of the last three seasons. So coming here and playing the games that we have and the busy schedule moments, for him, it's nothing.
“We know the quality he has. His ability on the right side to get in on his left foot, and he's had a couple finishes in the last few games on that. When he's on the left, he gets to the end line and he creates problems setting up goals which he did earlier in the week.
"He's finding his ways in this league and in this team, and we are finding ways to continue to get him on the ball in good positions."
Vanney also lauded the Galaxy's defence after they kept a second successive clean sheet.
“That's two in a row. That's not something we have done in probably a long time," he added.
"It's a big thing for our group, as well. If we defend well, we're going to be really, really difficult to beat."
PLAYERS TO WATCH
San Jose Earthquakes - Jeremy Ebobisse
Ebobisse has scored 10 regular-season goals against the Galaxy, four more than against any other team in his career. Only four players in MLS history have netted more goals against the Galaxy in regular-season play.
LA Galaxy - Dejan Joveljic
Pec might be a huge danger, but the Galaxy's main threat in front of goal is Joveljic, who has scored 11 league goals this term.
MATCH PREDICTION: LA GALAXY WIN
The Galaxy have won three straight matches for the first time since a four-match winning streak in August-September 2020. That run ended with a scoreless draw at San Jose.
The Earthquakes suffered their 14th loss in 19 matches this regular season with a 6-2 defeat to LAFC on Saturday.
The only team in the post-shoot-out era to lose 15 times in their first 20 matches of a season was the Tampa Bay Mutiny in 2001 (16).
The Galaxy have won three straight matches against the Earthquakes in all competitions for the first time since August-September 2002. Neither team has recorded four straight outright wins (excluding breakaway shoot-outs) in the 100-match history of the series in all competitions.
OPTA WIN PROBABILITY
San Jose Earthquakes - 29%
LA Galaxy - 46.5%
Draw - 24.5%
Panama 2-1 United States: Ill-discipline and Pepi's profligacy proves costly for Copa America hosts
The United States were defeated 2-1 by Panama in a thrilling Copa America encounter on Thursday.
A frantic opening paved the way for an exhilarating, blood and thunder match in which both teams had a player sent off.
The first 26 minutes in Atlanta saw the USA have a goal disallowed, Timothy Weah sent off and Folarin Balogun score a stunner before Cesar Blackman equalised.
With the match seemingly ebbing towards a draw, Ricardo Pepi's profligacy sparked a frenetic finale, with Jose Fajardo netting in the 83rd minute and Panama holding firm despite Adalberto Carrasquilla's red card.
Victory takes Panama level on three points with the Copa America hosts, who are in a precarious position ahead of facing Uruguay in their final Group C match.
A rowdy crowd was almost silenced inside the first two minutes when Yoel Barcenas' stunning bicycle kick flashed over the crossbar, but the home fans were soon celebrating when Weston McKennie slammed in, only for the goal to be disallowed after a lengthy VAR review for Tim Ream straying offside.
There was further VAR frustration to come for the USA, as they were reduced to 10 men when Weah saw a yellow card upgraded to a straight red after he lashed out at Amir Murillo.
That frustration turned to elation in the 22nd minute as Balogun brilliantly fired in from the edge of the box, his left-footed strike cannoning in off the inside of the right-hand upright.
It was a lead that lasted only four minutes – Blackman drilling into the bottom-left corner from 20 yards out to restore parity.
VAR came to the USA's rescue just after the hour when referee Ivan Barton overturned his decision to award Panama a penalty after Cameron Carter-Vickers lunged in on Fajardo.
Balogun went close to a sensational second soon after, but the best chance of the second half fell to his replacement Pepi, whose close-range header was kept out by Orlando Mosquera.
Pepi was immediately made to pay, with Fajardo making no mistake as he lashed home from close range, and even though Carrasquilla saw red, Panama sealed a memorable victory that throws Group C wide open.
Pepi pays the price
Pepi has had to settle for a substitute role with Balogun the first choice, but that has not stopped him having chances. In fact, he has accumulated more expected goals (2.27) than any other player in the tournament so far.
Yet the youngster, who has played just 43 minutes, has failed to convert any of his seven shots, while the other four players in the top five for xG at this edition of the Copa have all scored at least once.
McKennie did brilliantly to tee Pepi up for the USA's big moment in the second half, but PSV striker fluffed his lines.
In contrast, Balogun showed just how good he can be – his goal, his second of the tournament, came from a shot with an xG value of just 0.04. The Stars and Stripes might well need their first-choice forward to deliver that kind of quality again if they are to progress.
Panama worthy winners
Panama came out on top on penalties against the USA in the Gold Cup last year, but Thomas Christiansen's team were well worth their victory in regulation time on this occasion.
The USA did continue their run of scoring at least one goal when facing Panama – they have now done that in 19 of the last 20 meetings – but despite the hosts having a higher xG (1.11 to 0.76), Panama had the cutting edge when it mattered.
They had to play dirty at times, committing 19 fouls to the USA's four, and Gregg Berhalter may well point to that, but mastering the dark arts has given Panama, who face Bolivia next, a great chance of getting out of the group.
Martino 'the perfect fit' for Inter Miami, says Messi's team-mate Gressel
Gerardo Martino is "the perfect fit" for Inter Miami, so says Julian Gressel.
Miami are top of MLS ahead of playing Nashville SC this weekend, having taken 41 points from 20 matches.
It has been an epic turnaround in fortunes for the Herons, who have been MLS' form team since the arrivals of Lionel Messi, Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba last year.
This season, that trio have been formed by their former Barcelona team-mate Luis Suarez, who like Messi, has netted 12 goals in the league so far in 2024.
Yet with both Messi and Suarez absent due to the ongoing Copa America, Miami's form has not dropped off.
And Gressel, who supplied an assist in Miami's 2-1 win over the Columbus Crew last time out, says Martino deserves all the credit.
"Tata is the perfect fit for this team," he told the Miami Herald. "He has the intensity to push younger guys but also the experience and knowledge of how to manage a really successful team with stars.
"He knows MLS. He knows Leo Messi and Busquets and Jordi and Suarez. He can combine all that knowledge he gained over those years and really bring out the best in us.
"When Miami made that hire, I wasn't with the club yet, but I remember thinking: 'This is absolutely a no-brainer.'
"You don't really coach Leo Messi anymore, or Luis Suarez; Those guys are so beyond that, so it's about managing them and managing the team around them.
"He has a really good feel for that."
Former Barca boss Martino credited his work in charge of national teams as the ideal preparation for this job.
"Of course, it is rare for four stars to show up together, especially in MLS, but dealing with young players and stars is not new to me," Martino said.
"As a national team coach, you often have world-class players with a lot of experience, and you collaborate with the young players who are developing.
"As a coach, your job is not restricted to training during the week and playing games on weekends. You are also expected to develop and integrate young players while coexisting with the big-name players."
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Nashville SC - Sam Surridge
Hany Mukhtar has not quite scaled the same heights as in seasons gone by in 2024, but striker Surridge has provided the goals. He leads the way for Nashville, with seven strikes in MLS.
Inter Miami - Julian Gressel
Gressel’s assist for Ian Fray to score Miami’s opening goal against Columbus was his 61st MLS assist.
Since he joined MLS in 2017, only Luciano Acosta (65) has recorded more assists than Gressel.
MATCH PREDICTION: DRAW
Nashville limited New York City FC to no shots on target in their 1-0 win on Saturday. It marked the sixth time since the start of the 2021 season that Nashville have not allowed a shot on target in a match, the most such games in the league in that time.
Miami are now on 41 points. Of the 11 previous teams that averaged more than 2.0 points per match through 20 games of the season, 10 went on to win the Supporters' Shield, with the exception being Toronto FC in the shortened 2020 season.
The Herons are unbeaten in six straight meetings with Nashville SC in all competitions (W3 D3) including winning the last two.
Prior to the last two games, Miami had won only two of their first 11 matches against Nashville in all competitions (D5 L4).
OPTA WIN PROBABILITY
Nashville SC - 37.8%
Inter Miami - 35.7%
Draw - 26.4%
SportsMax is the Caribbean sports channel of choice, committed to providing sporting content of the highest quality to the Caribbean, delivered by a team of highly innovative, passionate and qualified professionals.
(876) 619-7629
digitalmedia@sportsmax.tv
