- Home
- Major League Soccer
- Preview: Toronto FC vs Orlando City
Photo Credit: John Jacques
Preview: Toronto FC vs Orlando City
By Major League Soccer side Toronto FC is set to play the club’s second game of the 2025 MLS regular season, the second of a three-game road trip before the Reds’ home opener at BMO Field comes on March 15 against the Chicago Fire.
TFC opened its 2025 MLS campaign with 2-2 draw against D.C. United at Audi Field last Saturday, which means Robin Fraser is still seeking out his first three points as the club’s new head coach.
Last week’s season opener on the road saw the Reds show character as Fraser’s side battled back to bag two equalizers against D.C. United, and that character must remain if they are to improve from the all- time head-to-head record of 9W-9L-3T.
Orlando City, on the other hand, suffered a home loss at Inter&Co Stadium in a 2-4 defeat against the Philadelphia Union. Both goals for Orlando City were scored by recently-signed Croatian winger Marco Pasalic. Orlando also added the likes of Eduard Atuesta from LAFC.
The Floridian outlet will be without Favian Loyla (midfielder) and Duncan McGuire (forward), while Robin Jansson (defender) is listed as questionable.
Toronto FC, on the other hand, have listed both Derrick Etienne and Raoul Petretta as questionable for the match.
There remains the possibility of a debut for Norwegian international Ola Brynhildsen, as he was seen involved in training.
“Yeah, so Ola hasn’t played in a while and he’s been training and he’s been doing individual stuff,” said Fraser on Brynhildsen missing the roster following the 2-2 at Audi Field. Ola Brynhildsen last played competitive match was back in December.
The Reds have also signed another homegrown player from Toronto FC II, with defender Lazar Stefanovic joining the Reds on a deal running all the way through to 2028 with a club option for 2029.
“We are very happy to announce Lazar’s contract as a Homegrown player at this time,” says TFC General Manager Jason Hernandez.
“Laz has accomplished many firsts as a young athlete, including making his MLS debut at just 16 years old, which makes him the second-youngest player to appear for Toronto FC. We are thrilled for his continued growth with our First Team and look forward to our journey together.”
Stefanovic becomes the club’s thirty-seventh player in club history to sign for the first team from the Toronto FC Academy.
Orlando has had the upper hand at Inter&Co Stadium in past years, but the Reds will look to repeat the last teim these two sides met in Orlando just under a year ago. That game ended in Toronto’s favour 2-1, with two late goals which marked TFC’s first victory over the Florida side since 2019.
Fans can tune in to the game tonight with kick-off set for 7:30 PM EST.
Header Image Photo Credit: John Jacques
