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• ​Toronto FC v New York Red Bulls: Schwarz demands reaction after derby humiliation

  While the New York Red Bulls have accomplished their mission of reaching the playoffs, head coach Sandro Schwarz has laid down the law to his players ahead of their trip to Toronto FC.

  The Red Bulls suffered a humiliating 5-1 home defeat against cross-city rivals New York City last time out, going 2-0 down within just six minutes and 55 seconds of kick-off.

  They did, however, clinch a playoff place due to other results going their way, boasting a seven-point cushion over eighth-placed Toronto, who only have two games remaining.

  "It was different emotions last weekend," Schwarz said. "We were very disappointed about the game, and on the other side we were satisfied with qualifying for the playoffs.

  "When we see the big picture, this was good, but it's more about the emotions from the last game to be honest.

  "We had a lot of individual talks, me with individual players, about the game and the behaviour. Now the feeling it was necessary to have this open communication."

  Toronto conceded a late equaliser against the Chicago Fire – who are out of playoff contention – on Saturday to damage their postseason hopes.

  After that 1-1 draw, John Herdman's side only occupy a wild-card place due to having more wins than the Philadelphia Union and CF Montreal, both of whom have a game in hand.

  "We were six minutes away from taking three points, so it's a big missed opportunity," Herdman said. 

  "Results in MLS went our way. We could have been two points clear of the other teams. But it is what it is.

  "That last goal, if we're fresh, that doesn't happen. All in all, given it's been a heavy week, I thought the lads put a hell of a shift in."

  PLAYERS TO WATCH 

  Toronto FC – Prince Osei Owusu 

  Owusu scored Toronto's lone goal in their draw with the Fire from the penalty spot. It was just their second penalty goal this season and first on the road since the opening day of the 2023 season. He will hope for a shorter wait for his next opportunity from the spot.

  New York Red Bulls – Dante Vanzeir

  Vanzeir has scored in each of the Red Bulls' last two matches. He has 13 goal involvements in MLS this term (four goals, nine assists), with only Lewis Morgan registering more for the Red Bulls (14 – 12 goals and two assists).

  MATCH PREDICTION – NEW YORK RED BULLS WIN

  The Red Bulls are unbeaten in 11 straight meetings with Toronto in all competitions (seven wins, four draws). New York have also kept clean sheets in each of the last five meetings.

  They have won their last two games against Toronto by a 3-0 scoreline, including when the sides last faced off in June. With Toronto winless in four matches in all competitions, they may fancy their chances of another victory.

  None of Toronto's last 27 home matches have ended in a draw (12 wins, 15 draws). This equals the longest streak without a home draw in all competitions for an MLS team in the post-shootout era (since 2000), along with the New England Revolution from 2001-02.

  OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

  Toronto FC – 30.1%

  New York Red Bulls – 45%

  Draw – 24.9%

• Chicago Fire v Toronto FC: Herdman hoping to change Reds’ playoff story

  Toronto FC head coach John Herdman has said his side must rediscover their clinical edge upon their MLS return after their Canadian Championship final defeat in midweek.

  The Reds were beaten by the Vancouver Whitecaps on penalties after a goalless encounter, with goalkeeper Isaac Boehmer proving to be the hero, making seven saves on the night.

  But Herdman was left ruing those missed opportunities as the Whitecaps claimed their third-straight title, insisting his players must respond against the Chicago Fire this weekend.

  “We are just not clinical at the moment,” Herdman said. “It’s been a couple games where we’ve been right there knocking on the door but just haven’t been able to find that killer moment or we found a keeper that’s standing on his head.

  “That’s the story of TFC at the moment. We’re in the playoff hunt.

  “As I said in the dressing room, all I asked is the team showed up, and they did. They have to show up again on Saturday. That’s their next task.”

  Chicago, meanwhile, were condemned to back-to-back defeats in the MLS, going down 2-0 to CF Montreal in their last encounter at the Stade Saputo.

  That defeat, the Fire’s 16th of the season, leaves them 14th in the Eastern Conference standings, ending their hopes of reaching the playoffs this year.

  But with two of their remaining three regular-season fixtures at the SeatGeek Stadium, head coach Frank Klopas has asked his players to give supporters something to cheer after a disappointing campaign.

  “We need to finish strong. We need to fight and compete all the way to the end. As long as we have games in front of us, we are professionals and need to play,” Klopas said.

  “We need to do our job. We have two home games and regardless of what happens, it’s important, and I have stressed it to the team to finish strongly at home.

  “I know it has not been a season with a lot of great moments, but we need to do whatever we can to finish on a positive note and leave a good picture, especially at home.”

  PLAYERS TO WATCH

  Chicago Fire –Brian Gutierrez

  In the absence of top scorer Hugo Cuypers, Gutierrez will be the man tasked with providing the Fire with an attacking spark at the SeatGeek Stadium.

  The American notched an assist in their 4-1 win over Toronto earlier in the season, winning three of his five matches against this weekend’s opponents (D1 L1).

  Toronto FC – Jonathan Osorio

  Osorio has scored six goals against the Fire, his most against any MLS opponent.

  However, he hasn’t scored against the Fire since 2019, failing to find the back of the net in his last five appearances against Chicago.

  MATCH PREDICTION: CHICAGO FIRE WIN

  The Fire have won three of their last four matches against Toronto, including the last two in a row. Prior to the last four meetings, Toronto were unbeaten in 14 straight matches against Chicago (W11 D3).

  However, Herdman’s side have lost seven of their last nine matches in all competitions (D1 L1), including the last two in a row. This is the sixth different losing streak of at least two matches for the Fire this season.

  Toronto’s 2-0 loss at the Colorado Rapids last Saturday was their 45th regular season road loss since the start of the 2021 season, four more than any other MLS team in that time (Chicago - 41).

  OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

  Chicago Fire – 48%

  Draw – 26%

  Toronto FC – 26%

• Colorado Rapids v Toronto FC: Armas calls on hosts to heed 'wakeup call'

  Chris Armas says the Colorado Rapids' comprehensive defeat to Sporting Kansas City must serve as a wakeup call as they prepare to resume their playoff push against Toronto FC.

  Colorado won their first two games upon returning to MLS play after the Leagues Cup break, but they were brought crashing back to earth with a 4-1 defeat in Kansas City in midweek.

  Armas' men remain in a positive position, sitting fourth in the Western Conference standings with a game in hand on some of the teams around them, but he knows they need to ensure Wednesday's performance was a one-off.

  "It's probably a wakeup call to all of us, what these games are going to look like," Armas said. "Everyone's fighting for something.

  "Everyone's got something to play for and in our league, everyone is capable. A positive is we're on 47 points, we've earned every one of those points.

  "We're in a good spot for the playoffs, we've put ourselves probably a win or two away from the playoffs. 

  "We're going to get home and regroup quickly, then get right back where we've been all year."

  Toronto, meanwhile, are occupying a wild-card spot in the East after losing 2-0 to the Columbus Crew in their last match.

  "We should have taken something out of the first half, that's clear, then in the second half we had to capitalise on the moments we had," coach John Herdman said afterwards.

  "For us, the lads were in the fight, there was a good spirit and they were tactically disciplined and committed. 

  "We need that from every single player to get into the playoffs, we need every player to play above their level."

  PLAYERS TO WATCH 

  Colorado Rapids – Djordje Mihailovic

  Mihailovic has 22 goal involvements in MLS play this season (10 goals, 12 assists), the most of any Colorado player. He has not scored in any of their last four regular-season home games, though, so he will be desperate to get back among the goals here.

  Toronto FC – Deandre Kerr

  Kerr has scored two of Toronto's last three goals in MLS play. He has five goal involvements (three goals, two assists) in just 10 league starts this year. 

  MATCH PREDICTION – COLORADO RAPIDS WIN

  Toronto have earned just 15 points from 45 available on their travels in MLS play this season, winning four, drawing three and losing eight.

  They face a daunting task at Dicks' Sporting Goods Park, where Colorado have a record of nine wins, three draws and two defeats in regular-season action this season.

  The Rapids are also unbeaten in their last nine league games on their own turf, winning seven and drawing two, and they are favoured to maintain that form here.

  OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

  Colorado Rapids- 57.8%

  Toronto FC – 20.3%

  Draw – 21.9%