Fraser says Canadian Classique is a must-win game for Toronto

Toronto FC head coach Robin Fraser is under no illusions as to the importance of Saturday's derby against CF Montreal, saying the match is "must-win" if his side are to make a playoff push.

Coming out of the extended international break, Toronto sit 13th in the Eastern Conference, four points adrift of the final wild-card place with seven regular-season games to play.

Opponents Montreal are rooted to the foot of the East, a further five points behind the Reds, so their playoff aspirations appear to be over.

And Fraser feels the same fate will befall his team if they do not turn their results around quickly, having lost three straight matches prior to the internationals. 

Asked how the three-week break had gone, Fraser told reporters: "I thought guys were completely engaged and were completely on board with the things that we've asked them to do, and every day got better over the last 10 days or so.

"I've been feeling like it's a must-win vibe for quite a while, but I think we are very much running out of opportunities.

"I've said this all along that everything feels like a playoff game for probably the last five or six games, but we are running out of opportunities. For sure, it feels like a must-win."

During the international break, Canada boss Jesse Marsch hit out at a perceived lack of opportunities for some of the younger players in his squad, when answering a question about Toronto defender Richard Chukwu.

Marsch later admitted that comment was "lazy and unfair" but still said the foundation of Toronto's recent history had been the "superstar player", asking whether fans would rather see them develop homegrown talent.

When those comments were put to Fraser, he said: "I would say player development is one of my biggest passions.

"I'm all for young players getting opportunities when they're good enough, when they prove it. I'm a big believer that developing from within is the ultimate way to go. 

"It saves money in filling out your roster and it also is a possibility to make money for the club, by selling these players."

Montreal beat FC Cincinnati 3-1 last time out, ending a five-match winless streak in MLS, though they did also progress from their Canadian Championship semi-final tie with the Vancouver Whitecaps.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Toronto FC – Daniel Salloi

The last time Toronto faced Montreal was a scoreless draw on July 16, the only game so far this year in which Toronto did not manage a shot on target. 

Shots on target have been a struggle for the Reds all year with just 117, as only four teams have had fewer. Midfielder Salloi has had more than any other Toronto player, with 22, and his seven goals are also their joint-most alongside Josh Sargent.

CF Montreal – Dani Pereira 

Since Venezuela international Pereira joined Montreal from Austin FC in July, he leads the team in passing accuracy (of players that have played over 90 minutes) at 92.7% over his seven appearances for the club.

Amid a derby atmosphere, they will need him to put his foot on the ball and slow things down.

MATCH PREDICTION – TORONTO FC WIN

Saturday's game at BMO Field will be the 39th edition of the Canadian Classique in the MLS regular season. 

Toronto currently leads the series with 17 wins to Montreal's 14 (D7), and they come in undefeated in the teams' last five head-to-head matchups (D2 L3). No game has produced more yellow (76) or red (six) cards for Montreal than this rivalry.

Toronto extended their losing streak to three games by going down 2-0 to Nashville SC before the international break. 

That equals the longest losing streak the team has had this year (also three straight in May), and the Reds haven't had a longer slump since a four-match losing run in March 2025. 

But with Montreal losing 10 of their 13 away games in the 2026 regular season (W2 D1), this represents a golden opportunity for Fraser's men to get back on track. 

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Toronto FC – 48.7%

CF Montreal – 25.6%

Draw – 25.7%