Toronto FC welcome Federico Bernardeschi back as they look to put out another Fire
Well, last week was fun, wasn’t it?
A last-minute loss in Austin, a disheartening postgame plea from star man Federico Bernardeschi, a player-coach feud between he and Bob Bradley, and a jaw-dropping report on the dressing room drama all occurred in the span of seven days.
Toronto FC then followed it up by getting the better of D.C. United at home, surprising plenty in the process.
With a quick turnaround, the Reds will look to make the most out of a rare positive momentum boost as they look for back-to-back wins at BMO Field against the visiting Chicago Fire on Wednesday evening.
Back in the mix for the midweek contest will be Bernardeschi, who missed out on Saturday’s 2-1 victory due to a coaching decision. Lorenzo Insigne stepped up in his absence, assisting both Deandre Kerr and Kosi Thompson in what was one of his best performances in a red (onyx?) shirt since joining the club last summer. With pressure mounting on he and Bernardeschi in recent weeks, fans will expect to see the very best from the two Designated Players against a leaky Chicago defence.
Bernardeschi won’t be the only player returning to the matchday squad on Wednesday. According to TFC insider Michael Singh, centre-back Sigurd Rosted is fit and ready for action after missing out on the past four matches with an upper body injury he suffered in the loss to CF Montréal in the Canadian Championship quarter-final. Fellow central defender Aimé Mabika has filled in admirably while Rosted missed time, so Bradley will have to decide whether the Zambian keeps his place next to Matt Hedges or if he goes back to the partnership which started the first seven matches of the campaign.
Brandon Servania has also been deemed good to go for the upcoming fixture after avoiding serious injury in the last match. The American international was pulled twenty minutes into the D.C. United match, being replaced by Thompson, the eventual match-winner.
After an early-season injury crisis, suddenly Michael Bradley and Jonathan Osorio are the only two surefire starters who are on the shelf. There can’t be any more excuses made for the Reds, who are trying to get back into playoff contention. It is crucial that the most recent win isn’t an outlier in the midst of a poor run of form. Wins, even unconvincing ones, will help deafen much of the noise surrounding a club that always seems to be entangled with some sort of drama.
The visiting Fire are equal with TFC on 16 points, having played one less match than the Reds. Interim bench boss Frank Klopas has overseen just one win since taking over the leading role from the now-departed Ezra Hendrickson. Since that 1-0 victory over St. Louis, Chicago lost to Charlotte and then managed back-to-back 3-3 draws with Atlanta United and New England.
Toronto hold a strong recent record against the club that Bob Bradley led to an MLS Cup in 1998, but the Fire torched the Reds in their last meeting, a 2-0 win at Soldier Field back in July 2022.
Can this next encounter be a step in the right direction for Toronto? Or will it be a case of one step forward, two steps back?
Predicted Lineups
Toronto FC: Johnson; Franklin, Rosted, Hedges, Laryea; Servania, Kaye, Thompson; Insigne, Sapong, Bernardeschi
Chicago Fire: Brady; Czichos, Pineda, Omsberg, Souquet; Gimenez, Torres; Gutierrez, Shaqiri, Haile-Selassie; Przybylko
Game Notes
- Toronto FC have lost just once in their last 15 meetings with the Chicago Fire (11-1-3)
- Only Federico Higuain (12) has scored more goals against Toronto FC than Fire striker Kei Kamara (11)
Match Details
Opponent: Chicago Fire
Kickoff time: 7:30 pm ET
Watch: MLS Season Pass
Stadium: BMO Field, Toronto, Ont.
-Sapong is the weak link. Give Kerr another shot up top instead to see if he can keep scoring.
-Maybe Kaye can stay more within himself and cut down on giveaways with Rosted instead of Mabika behind him. It was obvious that the team didn’t trust Mabika with the ball at his feet (can’t blame them).
– I really don’t want to see grandpa Kei Kamara score on us again.
Bob can’t be that angry at Bernardeschi, one game and it looks like Bernardeschi is back in there. If the DPs ever decide we’ll just wait this out then Bob is fucked lol. Another reason why you need a legit coach, especially if you’re going to bring in bonafide players like the one’s TFC have brought in.
I think Bob HAS to start Kerr over Fede tonight. Perhaps sub him in, but you cannot change the 11 that won.
Not a chance. Bob’s job lives and dies based on the Italians. If they don’t perform then the team is the fucked. Bob knows this. He needs them playing regardless if they like him or not.
The guy coming in for Bernardeschi is most likely either Kerr or JMR and while I actually rate Kerr, he’s no Bernardeschi. If Bernardeschi is healthy he plays. Someone like him, on this team, in this league, and he has to earn his spot back? Nothing could be more stubborn & delusional than that.
How’s that working out ?
How’s starting the leading goal scorer working out? Is that the question, Jeffy? About as good as starting the best fullback, best goalie & best defender are going. Hopefully Laryea comes back permanently, I’m sure he’d love to have to earn his spot again over JMR or Kosi after they win a game in his absence. It’s only fair after all.
Fede is a big part of the problem here. He is now the professional footballer most of his teammates cannot stand because of his off-field behaviour and his larger than the club attitude.
Fire Bradley
Would be good for Fede to start on the bench unless he has earned the team’s trust back and proved himself in training.
Kerr could keep his spot in the starting lineup in Fede’s place.
THIS. I don’t want him starting. Make him earn it. You HAVE to start the same 11 that won, barring injury.
Fede just switched agents may mean nothing, but not a good sign.