Toronto FC host D.C. United with playoff hopes on line

Toronto FC play their final home game of the regular season on Wednesday night, hosting D.C. United at BMO Field with their MLS playoff hopes on the line.

Kickoff is 7:30 p.m. ET (5:30 p.m. MT), according to D.C. United. The match is on Apple TV through MLS Season Pass, the club said. TFC Republic also listed TSN as a Canadian broadcaster.

Toronto (8-11-12, 36 points) sit outside the playoff line in the Eastern Conference. D.C. United (7-12-12, 33 points) are three points back of Toronto and six behind the line, so both clubs are close to elimination, Waking the Red reported.

The Waking the Red site reported that a Toronto loss combined with a New York Red Bulls win over New England would end the club’s season. A Toronto win could keep the race open, and if New York also lose, Toronto could draw level on points for the final spot with two games left, provided Columbus does not pass New York.

Toronto arrive on the back of a 4-2 road loss to Columbus on Oct. 24, a result that ended a three-game unbeaten run that included a comeback win in the 401 Derby. Josh Sargent, the designated-player forward, is among the players the club needs to produce in the final stretch, TFC Republic said. Toronto have won just four of 21 matches in which they conceded first and have allowed 59 goals in 31 games, according to D.C. United. Read more in our report on the Columbus loss.

D.C. United lost 2-0 at home to FC Cincinnati on Oct. 24 but have scored in nine of their past 11 matches. They have managed just two wins in 16 road games this season (2-6-8).

The teams met in the regular season on July 25 at Audi Field, where D.C. won 2-1. Kobe Franklin’s own goal in the 41st minute put D.C. ahead, Theo Corbeanu equalized in the 76th, and Tai Baribo scored in stoppage time after Andre Dozzell won a penalty.

D.C. lead the all-time series 19-13-13 across 45 meetings and have outscored Toronto 81-65. In 23 visits to Toronto, D.C. are 10-9-4.

Toronto earned a key result earlier this month, when they won at the Red Bulls to stay in the playoff race. The regular season ends in the coming days, with two games remaining for Toronto after Wednesday.

Via D.C. United, TFC Republic and Waking the Red.

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