Toronto FC (7-8-3, 24 pts) host 2020 MLS expansion club Nashville SC (4-5-8, 20 pts) in Major League Soccer action at BMO Field on Wednesday evening. The Matchday 21 encounter kicks off at 7:30 p.m. ET and can be viewed globally on MLS Season Pass on the Apple TV app.
TFC enter the midweek match eager to return to winning ways after recording a pair of ties and a pair of losses across the club’s last four MLS fixtures since May 25. Historically, Toronto FC hold a 2W-2L-3T record through their first seven regular season meetings with the Boys in Gold. The Reds are unbeaten in all their three matches against the Tennessee-based club at BMO Field, with one victory and a pair of ties dating back to August 2021, a streak John Herdman and his troops will be looking to extend on Wednesday.
NO PLACE LIKE HOME
Toronto FC host 2020 MLS expansion club Nashville SC at BMO Field for their tenth home match of the 2024 MLS season on Wednesday evening. With five wins from their opening nine home matches of the campaign, TFC hold a 120W-86L-77T all-time record (437 points) in MLS regular season matches played on home soil to date.
AN ODE TO THE PAST
Toronto FC welcome Nashville for the eighth MLS regular season encounter in the all-time series between the two clubs. Historically, TFC hold a 2W-2L-3T record through their first seven regular season meetings with the Boys in Gold. The Reds are unbeaten in all their three matches against the Tennessee-based club at BMO Field, with one victory and a pair of ties dating back to August 2021. TFC will be looking for their first home victory against Nashville since recording a 2-1 victory, courtesy of goals from Jacob Shaffelburg and Omar González, on September 18, 2021 at BMO Field.
THE CLIMB CONTINUES
Following a pair of draws prior to the June international break, Toronto FC returned to MLS action this past weekend, dropping a 1-4 result to the Chicago Fire FC at BMO Field on Saturday. The visitors took the lead via Maren Haile-Selassie in the 41st minute before Lorenzo Insigne equalized for the Reds moments before the half-time whistle. The Fire pulled ahead with a pair of quickfire goals from Hugo Cuypers and Mauricio Pineda in the space of three minutes within the opening 15 minutes of the second half, before Allan Arigoni’s 89th minute goal made it 1-4 on the night. Insigne’s 44th minute goal marked his 15th goal for the Reds and with the effort, the Italian entered Toronto FC’s top 10 all-time goalscorers list in his 44th appearance for the club.
COPA CALLING
Three players from both clubs, Toronto FC and Nashville SC, have been named to international rosters for the 2024 Copa América set to take place across the United States from Thursday, June 20 to Sunday, July 14. Toronto-born duo, Jonathan Osorio and Richie Laryea, will represent Canada at the summer tournament and battle Argentina, Peru and Chile in Group A action. TFC goalkeeper and MLS veteran Sean Johnson, who recently signed a contract extension with the Reds, and the United States men’s national team (USMNT) will face Uruguay, Panama and Bolivia in Group C. Meanwhile, Nashville trio Jacob Shaffelburg (Canada), Shaq Moore (USA) and Aníbal Godoy (Panama) will also miss Wednesday’s clash due to their participation in the upcoming Copa América tournament.
ONCE A RED
Three Nashville SC players have previously represented Toronto FC in their respective MLS careers. Defender Daniel Lovitz was selected 24th overall (second round) by Toronto FC in the 2014 MLS SuperDraft out of Elon University. The Wyndmoor, Pennsylvania native recorded four assists in 47 combined appearances across three seasons (2014 – 2016) for the Reds. Canadian winger Jacob Shaffelburg joined the TFC Academy in 2016 and became Toronto FC’s ninth Homegrown player to sign a First Team contract on June 21, 2019. The Port Williams, Nova Scotia native registered four goals and 12 assists in 61 combined appearances across four seasons (2019 – 2022) with the Reds before joining Nashville SC in August 2022. Canadian defender Lukas MacNaughton joined Toronto FC from Pacific FC (Canadian Premier League) on January 25, 2022, and made 31 combined appearances for the Reds across two seasons (2022 – 2023) before joining the Boys in Gold via trade in April 2023. Shaffelburg and MacNaughton helped the Reds beat Forge FC in the 2020 Canadian Championship final, played on June 4, 2022, to lift the club’s eighth Voyageurs Cup in club history. Both former Reds will be unavailable for selection for the Boys in Gold on Wednesday, with Shaffelburg away on international duty and MacNaughton currently sidelined through injury.
CELEBRATING INDIGENOUS HERITAGE
Toronto FC will host their annual Indigenous Heritage Match this Wednesday at BMO Field. As a valued part of TFC’s All For One community, Indigenous cultures will take centre stage with a series of immersive experiences both in-stadium and on digital platforms. BMO Field will feature signage takeover that honour Indigenous heritage, a live welcome and hawk walkout led by Chief Claire Sault and a dynamic pre-game drum performance by the Strongwater Singers. Half-time entertainment will feature an Indigenous hoop and dance performance by two-time World Champion Hoop Dancer, Lisa Odjig. Community engagement will be fostered through special guest appearances from Wandering Spirit School, Native Child Mt. Dennis, and the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation. Additionally, the Global Toronto Area Market at BMO Field’s North Turf Area will offer feature dishes like Maple BBQ Chicken from Dashamaawaan Bemaadzinjin and Smashed Bison Sliders by Chef Paul Owl, celebrating the GTA’s passion for soccer and global cultures.
