Fraser: Toronto need to be able to take more leads in MLS

Syndicated reporting provided by Stats Perform and reviewed by the SoccerNews editorial team.

While Robin Fraser is impressed with the never-say-die attitude of his Toronto FC players, he wants them to play more proactively against Chicago Fire to avoid going behind.

Toronto are currently unbeaten in five games, extending that run thanks to a 1-1 draw with New York City FC last time out.

However, that also marks their 10th draw in 22 games this season, but it is the seventh time this campaign they have come from behind to avoid defeat in MLS in 2026.

Toronto’s recent form has seen them move up to 10th in the Eastern Conference, level on points with Orlando City SC in the final playoff spot.

But Fraser noted that taking more leads in games could see Toronto push even higher up the table.

“I feel like I do this every week,” Fraser said after the NYCFC draw. “I keep talking about the character of the team, but they don’t quit.

“They dig in, they fight, but I would say a problem is we are coming from behind too often.

“No matter how good you are coming from behind, it’s not as good a position as leading, and I think we need to be able to take more leads and play from the position.”

Theo Corbeanu, who assisted Daniel Salloi’s equaliser, agreed, saying Toronto want “to be the team that’s leading”.

“There’s something different this year, in the sense of being very resilient, no disrespect at all to [NYCFC] — but I just feel like with the quality we have, and the players we have, [that] when it all comes together, we can be invincible.”

As for Chicago, they are flying high in the East, sitting third in the table, though they are 15 points behind leaders Nashville SC.

They are on one of the strongest runs in the Conference, however, as they have not lost any of their last five league games.

The Fire are looking to get back to winning ways, though, having followed up three straight wins with back-to-back draws.

September starts here pic.twitter.com/JCbWpjdPOB

— Toronto FC (@TorontoFC) September 1, 2026

Salloi has been involved in a goal in each of his last three MLS matches for Toronto (two goals, one assist), including the equaliser against NYCFC last time out.

This comes after a run of seven games without a goal involvement for Toronto. Overall, he has scored six goals and registered four assists in 2026.

Chicago Fire – Robert Lewandowski

Due to Hugo Cuypers’ departure, Robert Lewandowski is now Chicago’s second-highest goalscorer in 2026 with four goals.

He also registered his first assist last time out, setting up Maren Haile-Selassie for Chicago’s first equaliser against Seattle. The Pole has created five chances so far.

Chicago have got the better of Toronto of late, going unbeaten in the last eight MLS matches between the clubs (W5 D3), a run that stretches back to July 2022.

During that period, the Fire have outscored Toronto 14-6 and have netted six times in their last two visits to BMO Field.

Chicago are also on a five-game unbeaten streak in MLS (W3 D2), though their last two matches have ended level. They had only drawn two of their first 19 in the league this season.

Toronto have also not been beaten across their last five league games (W2 D3), alternating between a draw and a win in that run – drew 1-1 with New York City FC last time out.

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