Toronto FC v Atlanta United: ´We have to stop conceding first´, demands Fraser

Toronto FC head coach Robin Fraser has urged his side to “stop conceding first” as they prepare to face Atlanta United in their next MLS game.

The Reds rescued a point in a dramatic 3-3 draw against the Philadelphia Union, with goalkeeper Luka Gavran scoring a 96th-minute equaliser at BMO Field.

Toronto conceded the first goal in that game just before half-time, while they were also 1-0 down in their previous match against Austin FC, which also ended 3-3.

Toronto have three games left in their nine-game home stand, with fixtures against the San Jose Earthquakes and Inter Miami to come after they host Atlanta.

Although Fraser does not want to see his Toronto side keep conceding first, he praised their overall defensive efforts so far in 2026.

“[I’m] really proud of the effort, but we have to stop conceding first,” said Fraser.

“Overall our defending structure, our intensity has been really good. My feeling is if we continue to defend well, create chances, then we will obviously score more goals than the opponent.

“As we continue to talk about how we want to defend and where we want to win the ball, we have to do a better job of keeping it out of the areas that become dangerous.

“The goals we gave up [against Austin and Philadelphia] are just, I can’t even. I don’t know if I’ll ever see three goals, including the one last week. I don’t know if I’ll ever see three goals like that again.”

running it back at BMO field tomorrow

everything you need to know https://t.co/nYmxFjQITD pic.twitter.com/rwuqsWbual

— Toronto FC (@TorontoFC) April 24, 2026

Atlanta, meanwhile, have struggled for form as four consecutive defeats leave them bottom of the Eastern Conference.

They lost 2-1 to the New England Revolution last time out, with Fafa Picault’s opener not enough to avoid another loss.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Toronto FC – Jose Cifuentes

Jose Cifuentes recorded two assists for Toronto against Philadelphia, his third career MLS game with multiple assists.

Cifuentes became the first Toronto player to have multiple assists in an MLS game since Federico Bernardeschi did so last May.

Atlanta United – Fafa Picault

Picault scored his first goal in his first league start for Atlanta, becoming the second player in MLS history to score for seven different teams (Kei Kamara – 11).

The only players to score in each of their first two league starts for the Five Stripes are Giorgos Giakoumakis (first five) and Saba Lobjanidze.

MATCH PREDICTION – TORONTO FC WIN

Toronto overcame a 2-0 deficit to earn a 3-3 draw against Philadelphia; the club is unbeaten this April in MLS games they trailed by multiple goals (W1 D1).

Entering April, the Reds had lost 52 consecutive regular-season matches when trailing by two or more goals.

However, Atlanta have lost only two of their 11 meetings with Toronto since the start of the 2021 season (W4 D5).

Atlanta’s 1.55 points per match against Toronto since the start of 2021 equals their third-best against any Eastern Conference team in league play over that time (2.00 v D.C. United, 1.64 v Orlando City).

Atlanta posted a win in their last away match, winning 3-1 at Chattanooga FC in the US Open Cup third round.

The Five Stripes have won consecutive away matches in all competitions just once since the start of 2022, beating D.C. and Inter Miami on the road between May and June 2024.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Toronto FC – 54.1%

Draw – 23.6%

Atlanta United – 22.3%