The natives are getting restless in Ohio’s capital. While still early in both Henrik Rydstrom’s tenure as manager and the season as a whole, the Crew’s start to 2026 has been underwhelming to say the least. Two points from four matches, no goals scored at home and a home defeat to Nashville last week has Black & Gold supporters’ tempers starting to flare. While it is still early, these points that the Crew are dropping could prove to be just as valuable as points available at the end of the season and if the Black & Gold don’t right the ship quickly, they could fall well off the pace of an Eastern Conference playoff position.
Luckily for Columbus, they have a great chance to get back on track against their Trillium Cup rivals Toronto FC, who the Crew have fared well against in recent memory. The Black & Gold travel north of the border for a cold and winnable matchup against TFC. TFC are unbeaten in two matches after starting off winless in their first two. Toronto has also recently added Josh Sargent from Norwich City in the English Championship, the former United State Men’s National Teamer could well make his first MLS start on Saturday. Here’s everything you need to know for the first leg of the 2026 Trillium Cup.
Toronto FC at a Glance:
Record: 1-2-1 4 points
Recent Form: D, W, L, L
Leading Scorer: Daniel Salloi (2)
Assist Leader: Djordje Mihailovic, Jonathan Osorio, Richie Laryea (1)
Player to Watch: Josh Sargent
A transfer fee worth 20 million plus is good enough to make you a player to watch in my eyes. Sargent played with the USMNT in the 2022 World Cup and has been a productive striker in the English second division for Norwich since. Despite falling out with the Norwich staff, there’s no denying his goalscoring ability as he scored 15 goals in 33 appearances last year. Now he will be the main man in Toronto feeding off of service from the likes of Djorde Mihailovic and Daniel Salloi. Sargent’s finishing ability and work rate make him a difficult striker to deal with on both sides of the ball for Columbus on Saturday.
How Toronto FC play:
Toronto FC Head Coach Robin Fraser is back leading the group and has Toronto playing with a more structured and pragmatic approach through the first four matches of 2026. Fraser has emphasized defensive organization and balance first, looking to make Toronto harder to break down while still finding moments to be dangerous going forward.
Toronto has primarily set up in a 4-2-3-1, occasionally shifting into a 4-3-3 in possession. They are not a high-possession side, instead preferring to stay compact, pick their moments, and progress the ball quickly through midfield. Much of their attacking play looks to flow through creative players like Djordje Mihailovic, who can unlock defenses and connect with the front line, while wide players provide verticality and service into the box.
Defensively, Toronto is organized and compact, typically defending in a mid-block rather than pressing high. Their shape stays disciplined, often dropping into a 4-4-2 out of possession to limit central space and force opponents wide. Through the early part of the season, they’ve shown improvement in limiting chances, but consistency remains a key area to watch.
How the Crew can win:
Still not a must win but this is a game that would really boost the vibes around town for Columbus. Here’s what needs to happen for Columbus on Saturday.
- Cleaner and Simpler Combinations: One of the more frustrating things about the Crew’s performances thus far in 2026 is that you can see some really exciting ideas at times on the field. The execution has lacked. A large part of this comes down to mistimed runs and passes that cause the next pass or run to be delayed or too early. When this happens, the Crew have been too quick to try an audacious flick or back heel etc. instead of retaining possession. Look for better timing and decision making from Columbus on Saturday.
- Defend in Transition: This may be one of my keys in every game, just like it has been for the last several years. All the goals the Crew concede come in transition moments. The Crew need to limit and defend them effectively.
- Attack with Speed: The vast majority of the Crew’s goals this year have come when the Black & Gold have either drawn their opponents out and attacked them with speed or through counter attacks of their own. Look for the Crew to reignite this on Saturday in an effort to be more goal dangerous.
