Toronto FC vs. Nashville SC: 3 takeaways

NASHVILLE – Toronto FC just can't seem to get a solid run going. 

Fresh off an impressive midweek road win over San Diego FC, the Reds failed to get a result in dropping a 1-0 decision to Nashville SC at Geodis Park on hot and muggy Saturday night. 

This latest result means Toronto (5-12-6) have failed to win back-to-back games in MLS this season as its fading playoff hopes took another big hit. Yet, coach Robin Fraser was impressed with his team's effort and work rate against a Nashville side that sits in second place in the overall league table. 

"All losses hurt. But when I look at the character that the team showed today, I'm super proud of that," coach Robin Fraser said. 

Here are my three major takeaways from Saturday's match. 

Toronto FC swept in season series by Nashville SC

TFC came up short in their sixth shutout loss of the campaign on Saturday at Geodis Park.

TFC REPUBLICJohn Molinaro

Toronto FC's attack sputtered on the night

A lack of offensive punch continues to be Toronto FC's main problem this season.

TFC had eight total shots against Nashville on Saturday, but none of them were on target. Little wonder that the Reds were shut out for the eighth time (six losses) this campaign.

With Norwegian forward Ola Brynhildsen ruled out due to an ankle injury, Canadian forward Deandre Kerr led the front line for TFC, abetted by winger Theo Corbeanu, who at times looked lively while making probing runs down the right.

Kerr looked isolated up front and didn't influence the game, his lone dangerous moment coming on the hour mark when he appeared to earn a penalty. But a VAR review concluded that Kerr was fouled by Walker Zimmerman just outside of the 18-yard box.

"As the game wore on and into the second half, I thought his work was really good and he gave us a good presence upfront and was able to hold some balls for us and get into a couple pretty dangerous moments," Robin Fraser said.

After that, Toronto only managed to carve out half scoring chances. Kevin Long had two headers from inside the penalty area that missed the mark. Tyrese Spicer's effort from outside of the box was blocked by Zimmerman. Corbeanu's attempt from distance flashed over the crossbar, while Jonathan Osorio lingered on the ball for too long in injury time and the scoring opportunity went begging.

"We weren't sharp enough, good enough with the ball, but then I thought the second half we came out, we were able to gain a little more control and create a few chances and create a few opportunities, which also allowed us to rest. So, I think [it was] unfortunate not to turn one of those into a goal, which obviously would've been a great result for us," Fraser said.

Should Nashville's goal have stood?

Referee Sergii Boiko let a lot of things go on Saturday, allowing the game to freely flow and get into rhythm, rather than constantly blowing his whistle for fouls.

Maybe he was a bit too lenient at times, especially when it came to Nashville's goal in the 28th minute. TFC midfielder Maxime Dominguez took a pass from teammate Matty Longstaff deep inside his half but immediately lost the ball under a heavy challenge from Nashville's Gastón Brugman.

The hosts quickly transitioned from defence to attack when Hany Mukhtar went on a run down the middle before firing a low shot from just outside the box that produced a diving save by Sean Johnson. Sigurd Rosted was slow to clear away the rebound, as he was beaten to the ball by Nashville’s Sam Surridge who side-footed it home.

There's an argument to be made that the goal shouldn't have stood as replays appeared to show Brugman fouling Dominguez as he came through the Swiss midfielder from behind as he bodied him off the ball. Boiko was right there and had a good angle on the incident, but it did appear to be a clear foul on Dominguez.

Nashville still had work to do after Brugman made his play on Dominguez, as Mukhtar put some distance between himself and Alonso Coello before getting his shot off. Still, it seemed like a blown call from Boiko.

"I think it was a foul. Personally, after tonight, I'm not really sure what's a foul," Robin Fraser said.

"I think a number of calls were missed on both sides, but I do think it was a foul. And in the moment, I feel like when we are set defensively where we're very solid and then a moment where we're opening up to try to secure the ball and create options, if you lose the ball in that moment, then it's tough to recover quickly and tough to recover completely.

"So, I do think it was a foul. And I do think that when a foul isn't called in that part of the field and they're able to launch right into an attack, you are going to be somewhat out of shape. So, it was disappointing, obviously, but it is what it is."

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Richie Laryea continues to thrive in new midfield role 

For the second game in a row, wingback Richie Laryea was used in a central midfield role (in the absence of the injured Deybi Flores), and was asked to shadow Nashville's Hany Mukhtar, a former league MVP who is widely regarded as one of the league's top attackers.  

Mukhtar entered this game with 11 goals and eight assists to his credit and had scored in three of his previous four outings. But the German had a relatively quiet night, unable to shake loose Laryea for most of the match. 

Laryea did a very good job of closing down Mukhtar, following him at almost every turn and not giving him a lot of space to operate in whenever he was on the ball. Nashville had a lot of possession in the first half and was continually looking to get the ball to Mukhtar. But it simply wasn't an option as he was being marked closely by Laryea. 

Mukhtar had a hand in setting up Sam Surridge's winning goal when he went on a run down the middle, but Laryea could hardly be blamed for that as the German was able to get a shot off after he was able to elude Alonso Coello. 

In total, Laryea went the full 90 minutes for a third game in a row, making four tackles and one interception on the night, and running himself ragged for the Reds' cause. 

"I thought he was great. I thought he was very good. Again, Richie's understanding of what's dangerous, what's not, when to close, when to close hard, when to be patient, I think all of that [was good]. I knew Richie [when] he first came to TFC in 2019, and he was young and naïve then, and I feel like he's a completely different person now," Robin Fraser said.  

"He is a seasoned pro who we've obviously asked him to play in a number of different positions in the last couple of games, and he just does what's asked of him because it's what the team needs. So, I thought he put in a really incredible shift." 

(Top photo by Steve Roberts/Imagn Images)

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