Toronto FC head coach John Herdman has said his side must rediscover their clinical edge upon their MLS return after their Canadian Championship final defeat in midweek.
The Reds were beaten by the Vancouver Whitecaps on penalties after a goalless encounter, with goalkeeper Isaac Boehmer proving to be the hero, making seven saves on the night.
But Herdman was left ruing those missed opportunities as the Whitecaps claimed their third-straight title, insisting his players must respond against the Chicago Fire this weekend.
“We are just not clinical at the moment,” Herdman said. “It’s been a couple games where we’ve been right there knocking on the door but just haven’t been able to find that killer moment or we found a keeper that’s standing on his head.
“That’s the story of TFC at the moment. We’re in the playoff hunt.
“As I said in the dressing room, all I asked is the team showed up, and they did. They have to show up again on Saturday. That’s their next task.”
Chicago, meanwhile, were condemned to back-to-back defeats in the MLS, going down 2-0 to CF Montreal in their last encounter at the Stade Saputo.
That defeat, the Fire’s 16th of the season, leaves them 14th in the Eastern Conference standings, ending their hopes of reaching the playoffs this year.
But with two of their remaining three regular-season fixtures at the SeatGeek Stadium, head coach Frank Klopas has asked his players to give supporters something to cheer after a disappointing campaign.
“We need to finish strong. We need to fight and compete all the way to the end. As long as we have games in front of us, we are professionals and need to play,” Klopas said.
“We need to do our job. We have two home games and regardless of what happens, it’s important, and I have stressed it to the team to finish strongly at home.
“I know it has not been a season with a lot of great moments, but we need to do whatever we can to finish on a positive note and leave a good picture, especially at home.”
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Chicago Fire –Brian Gutierrez
In the absence of top scorer Hugo Cuypers, Gutierrez will be the man tasked with providing the Fire with an attacking spark at the SeatGeek Stadium.
The American notched an assist in their 4-1 win over Toronto earlier in the season, winning three of his five matches against this weekend’s opponents (D1 L1).
Toronto FC – Jonathan Osorio
Osorio has scored six goals against the Fire, his most against any MLS opponent.
However, he hasn’t scored against the Fire since 2019, failing to find the back of the net in his last five appearances against Chicago.
MATCH PREDICTION: CHICAGO FIRE WIN
The Fire have won three of their last four matches against Toronto, including the last two in a row. Prior to the last four meetings, Toronto were unbeaten in 14 straight matches against Chicago (W11 D3).
However, Herdman’s side have lost seven of their last nine matches in all competitions (D1 L1), including the last two in a row. This is the sixth different losing streak of at least two matches for the Fire this season.
Toronto’s 2-0 loss at the Colorado Rapids last Saturday was their 45th regular season road loss since the start of the 2021 season, four more than any other MLS team in that time (Chicago - 41).
OPTA WIN PROBABILITY
Chicago Fire – 48%
Draw – 26%
Toronto FC – 26%
Khadija 'Bunny' Shaw's first-half goal secures Manchester City's first win of the 2024/25 Season
Khadija 'Bunny' Shaw's 44th-minute strike gave Manchester City Women their first win of the 2024/25 Women's Super League (WSL) season, as they edged Brighton 1-0 at Joie Stadium in an early kick-off on Sunday. Shaw's goal, her first of the new campaign, was the decisive factor in a match dominated by City from start to finish.
The Jamaican forward pounced just before half-time, expertly converting Kirstin Casparij’s cross from the left wing. Shaw made a well-timed run across her defender to poke the ball home, breaking the deadlock and giving City a well-deserved lead going into the break.
Despite their dominance, City failed to capitalize on several chances to extend their lead throughout the second half. Brighton, while showing brief moments of attacking intent, struggled to maintain possession, often creating their own problems by playing out from the back under intense pressure from City.
It was far from a perfect performance by Gareth Taylor’s side, but the win secured their first three points of the season.
In the closing stages of the match, there was concern for City as Shaw went down injured and was eventually forced off the pitch. She was replaced by Mary Fowler, but the extent of Shaw's injury remains unclear.
Bayern Munich offer positive Kane injury update
Bayern Munich offered a positive update on Harry Kane's status after the striker sustained an ankle injury against Bayer Leverkusen.
The England captain, who did not register a single shot during Saturday's 1-1 draw despite Bayern dominating, was injured in a collision late on at the Allianz Arena, where Aleksandar Pavlovic cancelled out Robert Andrich's earlier effort.
Bayern coach Vincent Kompany was hopeful Kane would be fit to feature against Aston Villa in the Champions League on Wednesday.
On Sunday, Bayern released a statement confirming tests run on Kane had revealed no significant damage, and that the 31-year-old would "continue to receive appropriate treatment", though they did not confirm whether the forward will be fit to face Villa.
Kane suffered the knock due to a robust challenge from Amine Adli.
Speaking to reporters after the match, Kane said: "Sometimes there have been red cards for something like that.
"I'm OK, but it's a bit sore. I think it's OK. It doesn't feel too bad at the moment. We'll assess that in the next few days, but I don't think I'll be out for long."
Villa will certainly be hoping Kane is absent as they prepare to host a European giant.
Kane has been directly involved in seven goals in six career appearances against them at Villa Park, scoring five goals and providing two assists.
Indeed, he has also scored the game-winning goal at Villa Park on two previous occasions, netting a 90th-minute winner in November 2014 (2-1) and both goals in a 2-0 victory there in March 2016 – both during his time at Tottenham.
Arteta shows Guardiola the love as Arsenal-Man City rivalry sparks
Mikel Arteta is "so grateful" to Pep Guardiola, though the Arsenal manager claimed it is out of his hands if somebody else wishes to damage his relationship with Manchester City's boss.
Tempers flared in the 2-2 draw between the Premier League title rivals at the Etihad Stadium last week.
Ahead of this weekend's fixtures, Guardiola said City would go to "war" with Arsenal, who joined the reigning champions on 14 points after Saturday's games.
While City drew 1-1 at Newcastle United, Arsenal clinched a 4-2 victory over Leicester City thanks to two stoppage-time goals.
After that match, though, Arteta was still asked about Guardiola.
"I've admired him since I was 10 years old," Arteta said on Saturday.
"I respect him profoundly. I'm so grateful for everything he did for me and continues to do for me.
"If someone wants to damage the relationship, that's not in my hands.
"The feeling [of affection] is profound. [Guardiola] knows it, the staff know it because I still [speak] with them today, and with the board, the ownership – with everyone."
Arteta was a coach at City between 2016 and 2019, until he left to replace Unai Emery in charge of the Gunners.
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