Toronto FC fires Preki and Johnston; Dasovic to serve as interim coach; Red Bulls-Rapids trade; MLS schedule expands to 34 matches

Toronto FC has fired Coach Preki and director of soccer Mo Johnston, and will name assistant Nick Dasovic as the interim coach, the Insider has learned.

The drastic moves comes three days after Toronto (7-10-7) lost at home to MLS bottom-dweller D.C. United, 1-0 -- the club's fifth scoreless performance in six matches. TFC is 1-6-3 in its past 10 league games. The team will play a CONCACAF Champions League match Wednesday at Real Salt Lake.

Meantime, one day before the roster deadline, the New York Red Bulls have traded forward Macoumba Kandji (eight starts, one goal in league play) to the Colorado Rapids for midfielder Mehdi Ballouchy (19 starts, three goals, five assists).

And MLS has finalized plans to increase the regular season schedule by four matches next year to 34 -- each of the 18 clubs will play every other team home and away.

D.C. United news and notes to come.....