Toronto FC vs Nashville SC game will happen on June 10, 2023. TFC will face a red-hot Nashville team, who are in fantastic form. This will be a tough game for TFC to win, even when playing at BMO Field.
Toronto FC vs Nashville SC Predictions at BMO Field
Nashville SC (4-1-0)
Nashville SC has been fantastic this year in MLS. Their last loss in MLS play came against FC Cincinnati on March 25. They have also only lost one game in their last five, that loss came from a U.S. Open Cup Round of 16 loss to Inter Miami CF. This is what Nashville head coach, Gary Smith said about their last road win against FC Dallas last Saturday and their want for more (source: George Robinson of the Nashville Tennessean at Yahoo):
“We’ve got a group of guys that want more of that,” Smith said. “It’s not enough to just win (Saturday). They want more of it and they can see success in front of them. This is a fabulous opportunity for them to show that.”
THE NUTMEG. THE FINISH.
HANY MUKHTAR PUTS US AHEAD LATE IN THE MATCH
🫡🫡🫡 pic.twitter.com/qHJ5wkGFl0
— Nashville SC (@NashvilleSC) June 4, 2023
Nashville’s leading goal scorer is Hany Mukhtar, who has scored ten goals and seven assists. He is by far Nashville’s best player and one for TFC fans to be aware of. This included scoring the game-winning goal on the road against FC Dallas. There are also notably some former Toronto FC players playing for Nashville. This includes Nova Scotian, Jacob Shaffelburg, and former Pacific FC and TFC player, Lukas MacNaughton. Daniel Lovitz is another player that used to play for TFC, as a defender from 2014-16.
Toronto FC (1-1-3)
TFC has been a strange team this season, they have not lost that many games, but they also have not won many games this MLS season. A big reason for this though was giving up goals late in the game, just like in losses to D.C. United and Austin FC. It also can be seen in draws against Columbus Crew SC and just recently, Minnesota United FC. This is what Aimé Mabika, TFC defender, said in the Canadian Press on Sportsnet:
“At the end of the day we do have to be disappointed in ourselves because I don’t think TFC plays for draws,” added Mabika. “But we take it as a positive still — in terms of the performances that we’ve seen, everyone working hard, it looks like a real team. I think it we keep going on this road, it’s more sustainable.”
Anatomy of a goal:@fbernardeschi starts it.@RichieLaryea_ squares it.@Lor_Insigne buries it. pic.twitter.com/2fZ77oYnMh
— Toronto FC (@TorontoFC) June 4, 2023
Insigne is really starting to come to his own, scoring a goal against Minnesota last Saturday and getting two assists against D.C. United on May 27. Obviously, as stated in previous articles, Federico Bernardeschi and Richie Laryea can also make a difference in whether TFC gets a result or not. However, another player that can steal a game for TFC is Sean Johnson, who earlier in the year got TFC some points thanks to his terrific play. Also, a complete 90+ minutes will be needed as TFC generally starts the game strong, but struggle in the latter stages of the game.
Head-To-Head
Both teams faced each other once before, where both teams earned a scoreless draw at GEODIS Park. TFC has had recent success against Nashville, being unbeaten in their last four games against Nashville. However, TFC lost their first two games to Nashville, including one game in the 2020 MLS Cup Playoffs.
Injuries to Both Teams
There are a lot of players for Toronto FC injured in the midfield, this includes Jonathan Osorio, Víctor Vázquez, Michael Bradley, Alonso Coello, and Adama Diomande. In addition, Shane O’Neal, the centre-back is also injured. A return for all these players are unknown according to transfermarkt.
Nashville SC’s injury list is notably smallerwith Nick DePuy, the defender, is injured as well as defender Walker Zimmerman (source: DraftKings).
Predictions and How To Watch The Game
“Both teams now have gotten a look at [each other], how they set-up, how we set up in Nashville. It should make for a good game. We’re looking forward to the challenge.”#TORvNSH | #TFCLive
— Toronto FC (@TorontoFC) June 9, 2023
Prediction: Toronto FC 1 – Nashville SC 1
The game will take place on Saturday at 7:30 p.m. ET at BMO Field. The game will be televised nationally in Canada on TSN, and will also be shown on RDS. In addition, the game will be shown on Apple TV – MLS Season Pass. Even though Toronto FC are playing at home, this will be a very tough game. A 1-1 draw for TFC could be seen as a positive as Nashville last lost a MLS game back in March.
Photo Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports, of a Federico Bernardeschi Headshot, on April 8, 2023.
