Aiming for back-to-back wins for the first time in the 2025 MLS regular season, Toronto will visit Yankee Stadium on Thursday for their second matchup of the year against New York City FC.

After the international break, New York City FC suffered a 1-0 loss to CF Montreal, while Toronto secured a 3-0 victory at home against the Portland Timbers.

A pattern of progress and setback has defined New York City FC's 2025 season so far, as seen in their recent Montreal defeat.

Entering matchday 20, the Boys in Blue have not achieved more than two straight wins all year, following their 4-0 triumph over Atlanta United with a loss last weekend.

In their last four wins in this competition, Pascal Jansen’s team has failed to score in the next domestic game, contributing to their inconsistency and leaving them in the final Eastern Conference playoff spot, three points ahead of Charlotte FC.

New York City FC has performed strongly at home, securing the joint-most home wins in MLS this year (seven), with four of those victories at Yankee Stadium.

However, they have often had to play catch-up in the Bronx, conceding the first goal in five regular-season games at Yankee Stadium in 2025.

Heading into this game, they have won five consecutive matches against Toronto across all competitions, including a 2-1 comeback win in last season's equivalent fixture.

Home wins have been rare for Toronto in recent MLS seasons, but they earned a full three points last weekend for only the second time this year and the fourth since June 2024.

That win moved Robin Fraser’s team to 13th in the Eastern Conference, 11 points below the playoff line as they approach matchday 20.

Consistency has eluded Toronto, and on Thursday, they have a chance to secure consecutive league wins for the first time since July to August 2024.

Three of their four victories in the 2025 MLS season have come when leading at halftime, and they remain unbeaten in their last six league games in that situation dating back to 2024.

On the road, Toronto has excelled this season, earning at least a point in three straight away games while conceding a goal or fewer each time.

It has been nearly five years since Toronto last gained points from a regular-season away game against a New York-based team, with their last success being a 1-0 win over NYCFC at Red Bull Arena in September 2020.

New York City FC possible starting lineup:

Romero; Tanasijevic, Martins, Haak, Risa; Perea, Moralez; Ojeda, Fernandez, Wolf; Martinez

Toronto possible starting lineup:

Johnson; Thompson, Long, Rosted, Petretta; Coello; Corbeanu, Etienne, Kerr, Spicer; Brynhildsen