Toronto FC maintain tenuous hold on playoff challenge

Toronto FC kept a tenuous hold on their hopes of making the MLS playoffs, courtesy of winning a eight-goal thriller against the Los Angeles Galaxy.

Saturday night’s game between Toronto FC and the Los Angeles Galaxy really did have it all. There was a bevy of chances, a goal of the season contender from the brilliant/arrogant Zlatan Ibramovich, hostility and pretty much everything you’d like to see in a contest between two teams desperate for points.

But when it was all said and done, all that mattered was that TFC had secured a much-needed win. In the process, the 5-3 victory kept their playoff hopes on life support.

Yes, believe it or not, the Reds are still in with a chance. With six games remaining, there are 18 points left to play for.

One negative was that Toronto FC were unable to close the gap on the Montreal Impact. The Impact notched an impressive 4-1 win over the Philadelphia Union, to remain nine points ahead of their hated rivals.

Having said that, the Impact have played a game more than TFC. In addition, Montreal’s win over the Union means the fifth-place team in the Eastern Conference is now — theoretically at least — also within touching distance.

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In truth, as per all the above points, it really is down to perception when deciphering the Reds’ hopes of qualifying for the playoffs. We still believe it’s unlikely, but you can never count out a team which has played in two consecutive MLS Cup Finals.

In this respect, all Toronto FC can do is continue to battle and try to win every game. Meanwhile, they must also hope the appropriate points are dropped by the teams within reach.

Whether TFC actually succeed, is another matter entirely. As Saturday’s game proved, they’re going to have to rely heavily on their attack, after allowing three goals.

This Reds’ defence is far removed from the unit which conceded the second-fewest goals in MLS play last season. This year they are second-worst in the East (and fourth-worst overall), having allowed a shocking 55 goals in just 28 games.

(In fairness, the defence was short of key figures on Saturday. Drew Moor, Chris Mavinga and Auro Jr. were all missing through injury.)

Again though, all that matters right now is Toronto FC got the much-needed win. Understandably, coach Greg Vanney wanted to concentrate on the positives, as reported by Sportsnet’s John Molinaro:

"“The goal today was to get three points and stay in the (playoff) mix, and we got it. It wasn’t exactly how we drew it up …. But I like the fact we were resilient.”"

If Toronto FC are to still make the playoffs, they will need to continue to show the same resilience. And for the first time this season, consistency; dropping any more points is just not an option at this stage of the campaign.

Okay, six games to go, 18 points possible and nine points out of the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. What’s your prediction for Toronto FC? Do they make the playoffs or not? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.