Dorsch feels more confident after Leagues Cup break

Toronto FC host New England Revolution after the Leagues Cup break and Niklas Dorsch is keen to make an impact on his home debut.

Niklas Dorsch revealed he has "the feeling of more confidence" at Toronto FC following two weeks of uninterrupted training. Toronto's last match came on July 31 against New York City FC, when Dorsch made his MLS debut, due to the Leagues Cup break.

Dorsch signed on a five-year deal from Heidenheim last month and started against NYCFC, though the Reds were held to a 1-1 draw. Toronto, who have not won a match since the start of April, host the New England Revolution this weekend, and Dorsch is raring to make his home debut.

Quotes from Dorsch

"The coaches did a great job, made it a lot easier for me to arrive here, and I think you could also see it in the game that," said the 28-year-old. "Yes, some things need a little bit more time getting into it, getting knowing the people — but I felt really good, felt confident, and try to help the players as much as possible."

"But after that game it was two weeks of just training. I think it’s a perfect timing, and now I have the feeling of more confidence, I know every player exactly, their strength, and so looking I’m forward to the next game."

"It’s just small details we’re missing to win games again, and that’s the feeling I got in the last two weeks also. All in all, I have no doubts. I’m really confident with the team, with the coaching stuff, in winning games again."

Match context

New England have won just once since returning from the World Cup break, leaving them third in the Eastern Conference but 10 points behind leaders Nashville SC. With Nashville taking on second-place Inter Miami on Saturday, the Revolution have a chance to close the gap on the top two sides in the East.

Players to watch

Toronto FC – Djordje Mihailovic
Djordje Mihailovic scored Toronto's goal in their 1-1 draw with New York City FC, his sixth with the club. Since the start of the 2024 season, Mihailovic has scored 26 regular-season goals, the second-most by an American in that time (Brian White – 41).

New England Revolution – Carles Gil
Carles Gil was directly involved in seven of the nine shots New England attempted against Houston last time out (two shots, five chances created). Gil has been involved in seven shots in each of the Revolution’s last two matches after taking six shots and recording one chance created against CF Montreal on August 1.

Prediction and form

Toronto are winless in 13 straight matches in all competitions (D7 L6), having not won since a 3–2 victory over the Colorado Rapids on April 4. They have had just one longer winless run across all competitions in club history, a 14-match streak in 2024–25.

New England have lost only one of their last five visits to Toronto (W3 D1) after losing four in a row from 2016 to 2019. The Revs, who won 2–0 at BMO Field last year, have won at Toronto in consecutive years only once before, doing so in 2014 and 2015.

Opta win probability: Toronto FC – 45.4%, Draw – 24.3%, New England Revolution – 30.3%.