Toronto FC v New York Red Bulls: Schwarz not focused on Bernardeschi

New York Red Bulls head coach Sandro Schwarz insisted that full focus was on his own team, rather than Toronto FC's attacking threat ahead of their MLS clash this week. 

The Red Bulls were beaten 2-1 by Austin FC in their last league game, leaving them outside the top seven in the Eastern Conference by just a point after 18 games. 

They make the trip to BMO Field next to face a Toronto side who have struggled during Robin Fraser's tenure, but have undeniable quality in the final third. 

Italian duo Federico Bernardeschi and Lorenzo Insigne are the team's standout players, though Schwarz was keen to focus on Toronto's defensive improvements of late. 

"First of all, it is important that we are coming directly back into our rhythm and our intensity, especially after this break," Schwarz said. "The training sessions over the last few days have also gone very well. 

"I think the main focus it to look at our own performance and quality. It is clear they have a lot of quality, particularly in the offensive third, but they also haven't conceded that many goals. This is also something we also analysed. 

"But especially in the offensive third, they have the likes of Bernadeschi and Insigne, who are both very good players from the side. We have to be ready in our intensity and to be ready with our side of play and our own principles."

Toronto, meanwhile, come into the match just two points above last place in the division after they were beaten 2-0 by Charlotte FC at the end of May. 

Fraser's side started last month strongly with two wins from their first four games, including a 6-1 thrashing of CF Montreal, but have since lost their last three league matches. 

The Toronto boss bemoaned his side's inconsistency against Charlotte, but was hopeful that their break from league action would benefit the team for the second part of the season.

"The first half was frustrating and difficult," Fraser said after Toronto's loss to Charlotte. "I think the wind really affected the game in the first half.

"I think some of our decisions with the ball were not as good as they needed to be. Defensively, it felt like we weren't as connected as we have been. 

"I thought in the second half we showed real signs of life. But it's just disappointing. We see the good and the bad within each game. We have talked about having more good than bad, and that is the direction, but in the last game we just didn't show enough. 

"The break comes at a really good time, yes. We have some work to do. I would like to think we are a different team after the break, and it came at a really good time." 

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Toronto – Federico Bernardeschi

Bernardeschi missed Toronto's defeat to Charlotte with injury, with his presence missed in the final third as his team struggled to create many chances in the final third. 

The 31-year-old is expected to return to face the Red Bulls, and will be hoping to add to his seven goal involvements (four goals, three assists) this season. 

New York RB – Emil Forsberg

Forsberg contributed to eight of New York's 15 shots against Austin (four shots, four chances created).

He has four games this season with at least six shot contributions. All other Red Bulls players have combined for one such game (Eric Choupo-Moting).

MATCH PREDICTION: NEW YORK RB WIN

The Red Bulls are on a 12-match unbeaten streak against Toronto (W9 D3), tied for their longest run without a loss in league play versus a single opponent in team history (against Atlanta United between 2017 and 2022).

They have also won each of their last three matches against Eastern Conference opponents, scoring multiple goals in each victory. Since MLS went from divisions to conferences in 2002, the Red Bulls have not done that in four straight matches, while winning each one, against Eastern Conference foes.

Toronto, meanwhile, have lost four straight matches at home while dropping 15 of their last 20 home games (W3 D2) dating back to last May. In MLS's post-shootout era (since 2000), they are the only team to have 15 or more losses in a span of 20 league matches at home.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Toronto – 26.9%

Draw – 23.8%

New York RB – 49.2%