Toronto focuses on shoring up defense ahead of Charlotte match

Toronto FC will try to prove their recent result was more than a fluke when they host match-congested Charlotte FC on Wednesday night.

Toronto (4-7-8, 20 points) narrowly avoided setting a dubious club record with a 2-1 win over the New England Revolution on Saturday, breaking up a 13-match winless run in all competitions.

The Reds were badly outchanced by the visiting side, even before Designated Player Djordje Mihailovic was sent off in the 76th minute. A long-range effort from recent arrival Niklas Dorsch in the dying seconds of the first half was enough to ensure TFC their sorely needed three points.

Toronto has been stout at the back as of late, thanks in large part to the play of Luka Gavran in net.

The Canadian international was robbed of his third clean sheet since the break when New England's Wilson Harris nabbed his first MLS goal off a close-range header. Head coach Robin Fraser hopes to provide a little more support for their 26-year-old goalkeeper on Wednesday.

"I think for us going into Charlotte, it's about a little bit of our defensive structure and our defensive mindset," Fraser said after the game on Saturday. "I think we've done some really good things with the ball over the last couple of weeks ... but if we don't stop teams, we don't give ourselves the opportunity to do that."

Charlotte FC (8-7-4, 28 points) find themselves in a considerably busier stretch than their opponents. Leagues Cup included, this will be their sixth match this month to Toronto's second. Charlotte topped the Columbus Crew 3-1 in its last outing even as it controlled just 30% of possession.

The Crown might well hand marquee signing Allan Saint-Maximin his first club start, especially given the relative lack of rotation between their last two matches. The Frenchman was named man of the match coming off the bench against Columbus.

"I hope to bring that winning mentality, and now, we have to go to win against Toronto and win (as many) games as possible to try to finish in the top four," Saint-Maximin said.

Charlotte's Nathan Byrne might be an option after picking up a knock against the Crew. Mihailovic will be suspended while TFC captain Jonathan Osorio is out after missing Saturday with a knee injury.

--Field Level Media