San Diego FC v Toronto FC: Fraser wants visitors to own big moments

Toronto FC need to get on the right side of the fine margins if they are to end their slump, head coach Robin Fraser said ahead of Wednesday's visit to San Diego FC.

Toronto are 14th of 15 teams in the Eastern Conference standings, with only rivals CF Montreal and the LA Galaxy (15) winning fewer than their 18 points in MLS this year.

The Reds were on course to end a six-game winless run against Atlanta United on Saturday as they led 1-0 thanks to Deiby Flores' second-half strike.

But they conceded a penalty 11 minutes into stoppage time, which was converted by Emmanuel Latte Lath to leave Toronto still waiting on their first win since May 17.

"We've been talking about moments changing games since February," Fraser said as he reflected on their draw last time out. 

"And this was one of those moments that cost us dearly."

Fraser felt his team did enough to overcome the Five Stripes, as they attempted 13 shots to their visitors' 10.

He added: "I don't think everyone was as sharp as they needed to be. Some guys were pretty on it and some guys were a little bit off. 

"But in spite of all that we did enough, we think, to win the game. It was a kick in the guts."

Toronto face a stern test next time out, against a San Diego team that top the Western Conference with 42 points, having won five of their last six games.

MVP candidate Anders Dreyer scored twice as they overcame the Chicago Fire by a 2-1 scoreline on Saturday, while 26 goals had been scored in the previous four games to feature Mikey Varas' men (15 for, 11 against).

PLAYERS TO WATCH 

San Diego FC – Anders Dreyer 

Dreyer has been involved in a goal in six straight regular-season appearances for San Diego. 

That is the longest streak by any player on an expansion team in MLS since Adama Diomande had a run of six games with a goal contribution for Los Angeles FC in 2018.

Toronto FC – Theo Corbeanu

Winger Corbeanu has scored four goals and supplied one assist in MLS this season. Federico Bernardeschi – whose contract was terminated earlier this month – is the only player with more goal involvements (four goals, three assists) for the Reds this year.

MATCH PREDICTION – SAN DIEGO FC

Toronto have only won on one of their last 16 regular-season trips to California in a run that dates all the way back to October 2010, beating the LA Galaxy 4-0 in 2017.

They have avoided defeat on five of their last six trips to the Golden State (one win, four draws), though, including draws on each of their last three visits.

San Diego's 4-3 defeat to the Houston Dynamo last time out at Snapdragon Stadium was just their second home defeat (six wins, three draws) in MLS.

San Diego have allowed seven goals in their two home defeats but have only conceded four times in their other nine matches at the venue.

Toronto have won only one of their last seven matches (one draw, four losses), including conceding a game-tying penalty after 101 minutes against Atlanta United on Saturday. 

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

San Diego FC – 63.4%

Toronto FC – 17.1%

Draw – 19.5%