Early-season results show two clubs headed in opposite directions entering MLS match week 7. FC Cincinnati had finished second in the Eastern Conference and qualified for the Concacaf Champions Cup on the basis of their 2025 season.

Toronto FC last year? Well, let's just say everyone in Toronto is mighty glad to put 2025 in their rear view mirror. So far in this young season, the numbers show both teams' trajectories on diverging paths.

By the numbers

Entering Saturday’s match, FC Cincinnati holds a 2-0-4 record for six points, and notably remains winless on the road with three losses. Toronto, meanwhile, is 3-1-2 this season and has been strong at BMO Field, unbeaten at home with two wins and a draw.

Cincinnati opened 2026 with a win over Atlanta United but then lost four of its next five, with the only victory in that stretch coming against a struggling CF Montréal side. FCC also scored nearly half of its goals in that match and has conceded 12 across its four losses, including one earlier this season against the Reds.

Toronto FC began the campaign with two disappointing road losses, conceding three goals in each, but has since gone unbeaten in four matches, allowing just four goals in that span. The run hasn’t always been convincing, but it includes three wins, half of TFC’s total from all of 2025, and it began in Cincinnati.

Last time out

As noted, this will be the second meeting between the two clubs after Toronto travelled to southern Ohio on March 8 and came away with a historic first-ever win at TQL Stadium, courtesy of an 85th-minute winner from Dániel Sallói.

In that first encounter, TFC often conceded possession to Cincinnati but delivered its first truly solid defensive performance. The Reds limited the potent Cinci attack to a few quality chances, while posing a threat on the counter, with Djordje Mihailović pulling the strings throughout.

The decisive moment came late, sparked by a Richie Laryea recovery deep in TFC territory. After getting past Kévin Denkey, Laryea carried the ball upfield toward midfield before spotting Sallói on the flank and threading a perfectly weighted through ball that sent him in alone on Roman Celentano. Sallói made no mistake, finishing into the far corner to open his Toronto account.

FC Cincinnati form of late

After a 20-win, 65-point season in 2025, it’s fair to say Cincinnati has underperformed heading into matchweek seven. Adding to the disappointment was a disastrous and brief Concacaf Champions Cup run, where they led Mexican powerhouse Tigres 3-0 in the first leg before crashing out after a 5-1 defeat in the return leg, conceding at the death.

Their two leading scorers from last year, striker Kévin Denkey and midfielder Evander, remain with the squad but have started the season slowly. The back line still includes occasional USMNT defenders Matt Miazga and Miles Robinson, while former TFC favourite Nick Hagglund continues to play significant minutes. The supporting cast, however, has been underwhelming so far, reflecting the team’s slow start.

Discipline is another concern Cincinnati will need to address, having picked up red cards in three straight matches heading into this one. Playing with 10 men week after week is not a sustainable path to success.

Toronto FC form of late

After contending for the unofficial wooden spoon in 2025, Toronto FC has retooled for 2026. The team has a new look from front to back and is building chemistry across all areas of the pitch.

wishing Djordje a speedy recovery 🫶

Toronto FC announced today that midfielder Djordje Mihailovic was diagnosed with a pelvic stress fracture.

Read More 📰: https://t.co/OKnAAfvVwF pic.twitter.com/0yKS0aPB1P

— Toronto FC (@TorontoFC) April 10, 2026

The new back line, featuring Walker Zimmerman, has shown both depth and resilience, while the midfield has held its own without standing out. The revamped attack, led by designated players Josh Sargent and Djordje Mihailović, has shown flashes of quality but has yet to fully click due to Sargent’s late arrival and Mihailović’s health issues. That duo will now have to wait another 14 weeks before likely sharing the pitch again following news of Mihailović’s pelvic stress fracture.

TFC enters the match on a high after a wild comeback win over Colorado last weekend and will look to carry that momentum forward. Beyond the chaos, there is plenty for the team to build on from that result.

Toronto keys to the game

👉 The Reds will look to continue building defensive cohesion and strengthen the relationship between first-year starting keeper Luca Gavran and a new-look back line that includes just one returning starter from last season, Richie Laryea. Matheus Pereira, Benjamín Kuscevic, and Zimmerman are still adjusting to one another, but recent performances have been generally positive.

👉 Up front, TFC will aim to develop attacking chemistry as players grow more familiar with each other’s movements, particularly with new DP striker Josh Sargent. However, the team has barely seen Sargent and Djordje Mihailović together, with just 16 minutes shared on the pitch nearly a month ago against the New York Red Bulls. With Mihailović’s injury, the team will likely have to wait until after the World Cup break for another chance to see how that partnership develops.

👉 Toronto has been building real momentum in recent weeks, improving steadily with results starting to go its way. This match marks the fourth of a nine-game homestand, and with seven of a possible nine points from the first three, the club will look to keep that run going. Meanwhile, Cincinnati will aim to avenge its earlier loss to TFC and turn its season around before it slips further.

Player availability

FC Cincinnati: Kristian Fletcher (knee) and Roman Celentano (leg) have returned to training but remain questionable, according to various reports. Gerardo Valenzuela is back in the squad after serving a two-game suspension, while captain Miles Robinson is also available again following his red card ban. However, Cincinnati will be without former Jamaican international Alvas Powell after his recent dismissal.

Toronto FC: Theo Corbeanu (knee), Nicksoen Gomis (Achilles), and Henry Wingo (hamstring) remain sidelined, with Djordje Mihailović (pelvis) joining them on the long-term injury list. The status of Walker Zimmerman, who left the Colorado match early, is still unclear. Toronto will also be without Raheem Sterling as he serves a suspension following his red card in the last match.

Projected XIs

FC Cincinnati (3-4-1-2): Evan Louro; Miles Robinson, Matt Miazga, Nick Hagglund; Bryan Ramírez, Obinna Nwobodo, Pavel Bucha, Ender Echenique; Evander; Kévin Denkey, Ayoub Jabbari.

Toronto FC (4-2-3-1): Luca Gavran; Matheus Pereira, Benjamín Kuscevic, Zane Monlouis, Richie Laryea; Alonso Coello, Jonathan Osorio; Dániel Sallói, José Cifuentes, Deandre Kerr; Josh Sargent.

Game Information and How to Watch

📆 Saturday, April 11, 2026
⏰ 1:00 pm ET / 10:00 am PT
🏟 BMO Field, Toronto, Canada
🧑‍⚖️ Ricardo Fierro
📺 Apple TV