Robin Fraser admitted it is difficult waiting for Toronto FC to get their first win but is hopeful they can get over that hurdle against Real Salt Lake.

Toronto are one of three teams in MLS still searching for a first win of the season, and sit 14th in the Eastern Conference, two points better off than CF Montreal below them.

They have improved in recent weeks, drawing their last three, all against high-flying teams in Vancouver Whitecaps, Inter Miami and Minnesota United.

However, Fraser knows they need to get their first three points of the season as quickly as possible.

"When the season starts — I think I feel this way every season I've ever coached — you can't wait to get the first win," Fraser said.

"And when you win your first game of the year, it's the best feeling, because now that monkey's off your back.

"And when you're into the ninth game, and you haven't won yet, then that monkey gets bigger, and it's more like a gorilla now. So, we need to get that gorilla off our back, if we can."

As for Real Salt Lake, they have struggled to find momentum so far this season, sitting 10th in the Western Conference after eight games.

They have won three and lost five of their matches, including a 2-1 defeat to Nashville SC last weekend.

Head coach Pablo Mastroeni highlighted how young his squad are, while noting how difficult it is to give them time to develop off the pitch when they are struggling for wins.

"It's about balance," he told KSL Sports Zone. "Our roster is a young one, so what drives me every day is that development takes time.

"You've got to make a lot of mistakes, a ton of them. That's how it works in life, but in a season, you don't have time.

"There needs to be a balance, and when you're winning, you can hyperfocus on development, but we're not winning, so it's not possible, so we want to get the best guys on the field no matter what."

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Real Salt Lake – Dominik Marczuk

Real Salt Lake attempted 13 shots against Nashville SC on Saturday despite totaling just 11 touches in the box.

Dominik Marczuk, who scored their only goal, contributed three of those, the most of anyone on the team, while also having four touches in the opposition box, another team-high.

Toronto FC – Kevin Long

Kevin Long won 10 of the 11 aerial duels he contested on Saturday, equaling the second-most by a Toronto FC player since Opta began detailed data collection of MLS in 2010.

Only Doneil Henry (13 vs. San Jose Earthquakes in 2013) has won more aerial duels in a match for Toronto in that time.

MATCH PREDICTION: REAL SALT LAKE WIN

Real Salt Lake are unbeaten in 11 straight home matches against Toronto FC in all competitions (W9 D2) after the Reds won their first ever match at RSL in 2007. Toronto have managed to earn draws in two of their last three trips to Sandy, Utah.

Real Salt Lake have lost five of their first eight matches of a season for the third time in club history (2006 and 2023). RSL have never lost six of their first nine games of a season.

Toronto, meanwhile, are winless in 14 straight matches in all competitions for the first time in club history (D6 L8). The Reds have managed draws in each of their last three matches.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Real Salt Lake – 60.7%

Draw – 20.6%

Toronto FC – 18.6%