John Herdman hopes Toronto FC's bad run is behind them and a playoff push on the horizon as they prepare to meet Inter Miami, who are still bristling at suffering their joint-record defeat last time out in MLS.
Toronto staged a second-half comeback to beat the Philadelphia Union 2-1 on Saturday, snapping a seven-match losing streak across all competitions.
The Reds had been winless in nine ahead of their victory over the Union, which dragged them up to eighth in the Eastern Conference, three points adrift of the top seven.
With a number of players returning from injury and confidence restored, Herdman hopes that result can be something of a turning point.
"We can go into that match now against Miami with one of my best starting XIs for the first time since the beginning of the season," Herdman said.
"We're never too high and never too low, and we just keep our feet on the ground, stay focused.
"It's one win – and I thank the fans, they have been brilliant with us, they kept us going – but it's just the start, the start of a playoff push."
Miami, meanwhile, have been knocked off the top of the Eastern Conference, losing 6-1 to FC Cincinnati on their last outing on July 7.
Cincinnati then won their subsequent match to leapfrog Miami, who have been without Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez due to the Copa America, at the summit.
Boss Gerardo Martino highlighted the Herons' defensive issues after their last match, saying: "We had a period early in the season where we were vulnerable at the back.
"We started to fix that, the previous five or six games we did a solid job defending, but then we reverted defensively to how we played early in the season.
"We are still not there despite our good results and performances. We have to keep working and hoping in the final part of the season we can improve with our full roster."
However, Miami may have to wait to reintroduce Messi after he exited Argentina's Copa America final victory over Colombia with an ankle injury.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Inter Miami – Julian Gressel
Gressel has eight assists in MLS this season, a tally only bettered by Messi (nine) among Miami players.
His tally of 4.19 expected assists (xA), meanwhile, is better than Messi's 3.59. With the Herons still missing some of their key men, they may need Gressel to supply the chances.
Toronto FC – Federico Bernardeschi
Only nine players have bettered Bernardeschi's tally of 53 chances created in MLS this year, while he also has 12 goal involvements (eight goals, four assists).
Ranking fourth for shots attempted (79) but just 34th for expected goals (6.5 xG), the Italian is not afraid to try his luck from any position.
MATCH PREDICTION: INTER MIAMI WIN
Toronto halted a nine-game winless streak by beating Philadelphia last time out, but their last pair of back-to-back victories in MLS came in late April and early May.
They are winless in their last seven away games, losing their last four in a row and conceding multiple goals in six of their last seven.
Miami, meanwhile, have only lost one of their last eight home matches in MLS, winning four of their last six. Despite their absences, they approach the game as favourites.
OPTA WIN PROBABILITY
Inter Miami – 72.4%
Toronto FC – 11.7%
Draw – 15.9%
FC Cincinnati v Chicago Fire: Noonan desperate for response after 'flat' performance
FC Cincinnati head coach Pat Noonan is desperate to find a remedy for his side's "flat" performance last time out, ahead of Chicago Fire's midweek MLS visit.
The Orange and Blue produced arguably their worst performance of their season during Sunday's 3-1 home defeat against Charlotte FC.
Cincinnati will have another chance to respond at TQL Stadium, bidding to remain top of the Eastern Conference standings after a surprise defeat in their last encounter.
Home head coach Noonan acknowledged his side must perform better.
"Our first 35 minutes were probably the worst of the year," Noonan said of the Charlotte showing. "We weren't ready, and that starts with me.
"I have to look at why it was so flat… A lot of poor performances and some avoidable mistakes on the two goals that really put the momentum in their favour.
"I think the warning signs, in terms of how we've conceded, have been there for a couple weeks now.
"There was loss of concentration, lost a mark, set pieces again… some things that we will continue to try to find answers to. Yeah, the way we're conceding goals is concerning."
The Fire, in stark contrast to Cincinnati at the summit, are just one spot from the bottom of the East table.
Chicago did manage a goalless draw with New York City FC, however, in their last match and keeping them ahead of bottom side Philadelphia Union.
Frank Klopas' side have accumulated 10 points from their last seven outings, though their away form is the worst in the Eastern Conference – with just seven points from 33 available on the road.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
FC Cincinnati – Luciano Acosta
Luciano Acosta has been the leading light for Cincinnati's attack this year, sitting top of the club's scoring charts with 11 goals from 23 MLS appearances.
The Orange and Blue forward will be integral once more if the hosts are to down the struggling Fire here.
Chicago Fire – Hugo Cuypers
It remains to be seen whether Xherdan Shaqiri will return from Euro 2024 in time for this one, having announced his international retirement for Switzerland on Monday.
Hugo Cuypers will be expected to step up in his absence again, with the striker scoring nine goals for Chicago in MLS this season – at least four more than any other team-mate.
MATCH PREDICTION – FC CINCINNATI WIN
The home side are the dominant favourites for this clash, with the Opta supercomputer backing their victory chances at a hefty 66.1% from their data-led pre-match simulations.
Cincinnati have triumphed in 12 of their last 15 MLS matches, although three defeats have come in their past eight such outings.
That trio of losses have all come on their home ground, too, yet Cincinnati will be confident of getting over the line in this one.
Klopas' visitors have failed to score in their last two outings, and that will only boost the hosts' hopes heading into this midweek clash.
OPTA WIN PROBABILITY
FC Cincinnati win – 66.1%
Draw – 18.4%
Chicago Fire win – 15.5%
Atletico shift Saul out on loan to LaLiga rivals Sevilla
Saul Niguez has moved from Atletico Madrid on loan to Sevilla with the option of an extension after the 2024-25 campaign.
Both LaLiga clubs confirmed the transfer agreement on Monday, with each side referencing the "possibility of an extension" past the upcoming season.
The 29-year-old has started just 25 La Liga games across the last two seasons for Atletico, who are reportedly keen to reduce their expenditure on their first-team squad salary.
Reports in Spain suggest the midfielder has a three-year offer from league rivals Sevilla, though a complex transfer means the deal cannot be described as a purchase option with the possibility of a return to Atletico.
Saul made 49 appearances for Diego Simeone's men last season, though starts were limited as Atletico finished fourth in the Spanish top flight.
He has been capped 19 times by Spain and made 23 appearances for Chelsea, his last loan spell in the 2022-23 season before returning to Simeone's team.
Saul's addition marks the fourth arrival in Andalusia, with Arsenal's Albert Sambi Lokonga also loaned, along with moves for Chidera Ejuke and Peque Fernandez.
Ten Hag slams 'not good enough' Man Utd after surprise friendly defeat to Rosenborg
Erik ten Hag slammed Manchester United as "by far not good enough" after their shock friendly defeat to Rosenborg on Monday.
The Red Devils suffered a late 1-0 loss at Lerkendal Stadion after Noah Holm's 93rd-minute winner.
An underwhelming performance in their first pre-season game was in stark contrast to their last outing before that, a 2-1 victory over rivals Manchester City in the FA Cup final.
Rosenborg were denied by the woodwork on four separate occasions while attempting 22 shots to United's meagre five.
Ten Hag started the likes of Casemiro, Jonny Evans, Marcus Rashford, Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Mason Mount, leaving the United boss somewhat furious with their efforts in Trondheim.
"The result is not secondary. We play pre-season but at Manchester United, there's a standard," said Ten Hag to MUTV after the game.
"You win games. Definitely, you don't lose games. If you can't win, don't lose the game as we did at the end, the last second of the game.
"The performance is more important. The performance was below standard."
Radek Vitek, United's 20-year-old goalkeeper, was forced into seven saves in a one-sided pre-season meeting as the only Red Devils player to impress.
"Let's say he got the opportunity from the team to make some very good saves because our performance as a team is by far not good enough," Ten Hag responded when asked about Vitek's showing.
"I have seen this is not the standard for top football. Top football, you have to achieve much higher standards. It starts with any individual, make sure you are fit.
"I know we can't be match fit in this moment, therefore, you need these games. I know we are playing an opponent who are in their league, they have a much higher fitness level.
"But still we are Man Utd and players and teams from Man Utd must perform better."
Ten Hag's only credit from the game was placed on the youngsters who came on at half-time in wholesale changes.
"They always listen, they try to transfer. We didn't succeed today," the Dutchman said of his younger players.
"But the attitude, they want to transfer the coaching play model, they are always willing to do it. But it is clear today we didn't transfer it to the pitch."
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