TORONTO — Toronto FC is on a roll, but forward Daniel Salloi doesn’t expect the Reds to be able to fell “The Trees” with ease Saturday afternoon at BMO Field.
Austin FC, known as “Los Verdes”, or “The Trees,” has struggled this season with a 1-3-3 record, but Salloi believes the Texas side is still dangerous.
“Austin is a very aggressive and fighting team. They always come full power and they can play with the ball,” Salloi said. “They always have really good ideas.”
Austin began playing in Major League Soccer in 2021 and the club advanced to the Eastern Conference final in its second year of competition.
Austin has a 1-1-0 record against TFC, with each side winning at home. But this season has been a challenge for head coach Nico Martinez. His team has only scored eight goals in seven matches while giving up 11. Forward Facundo Torres has assisted on four of the eight .
“They’ve been having a tough run but it’s not like they’re not a good team,” said TFC coach Robin Fraser. “Torres has been one of the best attacking players in the league for a couple of years now. (Myrto) Uzuni has proven to be a good player and I think Jayden (Nelson) has been really good when he’s been on for them. Christian Ramirez has been around for a long time and he’s good at what he does.”
Albanian international Uzuni leads Austin with a pair of tallies.
TFC (3-2-2) is riding a five-match unbeaten streak since March and is also unbeaten in their last 11 home games (four wins, seven draws) dating back to June 25, 2025.
Saturday’s match marks the fifth of nine consecutive MLS home matches for the Reds, and Salloi said it’s important they take advantage of the current home stand.
“We need our fans to help us and we need to get as many points as we can in this stretch because when we go on the road (for six straight starting May 16). That’s going to be tough. So, we have to win as many games as possible,” said Salloi, who leads TFC in goals (two) and on-target scoring attempts (eight).
The Reds are heading into a busy week, with three games in eight days, which could tax their already banged-up roster.
“The key is to be able to use everyone,” said Salloi. “Sometimes (guys) have to play in different positions when you’re dealing with injuries. And you have to be very focussed between those games. I’ve been in this league for a long time and those mid-week games can make a difference at the end of the year.”
After Saturday’s match against Austin, the Reds host the Philadelphia Union on Wednesday and Atlanta United on Sat. April 25.
The TFC sick bay includes attacking midfielder Djordje Mihailovic, who is out with a fractured pelvis. Centre back Walker Zimmerman missed last Saturday’s game against FC Cincinnati and did not train with the full team on Friday at the BMO Training Ground.
“He’s doing well. He’s close. Probably not quite ready for (Saturday),” said Fraser of Zimmerman, who was named to the MLS Team of the Matchday following an influential all-round performance in the Reds’ 2-1 win against Columbus Crew at BMO Field two weeks ago.
Forward Deandre Kerr, a native of Ajax, Ont., should be back for Toronto.
The Reds appeared to be heading for a third win in a row last Saturday before Cincinnati scored in stoppage time to tie it 1-1. TFC has dropped four points at home in stoppage time this season.
“There was definitely disappointment after last week -- that we took a game that we felt that we were in pretty good control and ended up missing out on two points,” said Fraser. “So, I think there’s been a feeling of resolve and determination (this week in training) and that’s a situation that we don’t want to see again. If we have a lead, and we have a lead at home, then we want to take care of it.”
This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 17, 2026.
Steve Buffery, The Canadian Press
