Toronto FC is battling for its first postseason berth, though the Reds aren't exactly playing their best soccer as the playoffs draw near.
They'll try to avoid a season series loss when they visit New York City FC on Wednesday night.
Toronto (11-12-4) didn't reach the playoffs in any of its previous eight seasons, but is in good position to make a run at the postseason. The Reds are fifth in the Eastern Conference with a five-point edge over Montreal - which has two games in hand - as well as Orlando City. Sunday's 3-1 loss to New England, however, was their fourth in six matches.
Toronto has given up 11 goals in those defeats, including an own goal against the Revolution that defender Damien Perquis was responsible for. The defense has been especially bad during a six-match winless stretch on the road, as the club has surrendered 19 goals in that span.
This is the first of seven remaining matches for the Reds, five of the last six of which are at home.
"It's an important time now. We have no time to feel sorry for ourselves, we pick up now and have another big game in New York City," Jozy Altidore, second on the club with 10 goals, told the team's official website. "We have to try to take maximum points there and then we return home against Colorado (on Saturday) which is another opportunity to get three points."
New York City FC (7-14-7) isn't playing particularly well either, going 1-5-1 in its last seven while yielding 17 goals. A fourth straight loss would match its longest skid from April 19-May 10.
New York is in the playoff race, though it has little margin for error after Saturday's 2-1 road loss to FC Dallas. The club is four points out of sixth place.
"The pressure on us is immense, but there are still enough points to be won," midfielder Frank Lampard said. "But it's no use pointing that out - we need to win games."
Patrick Mullins scored against Dallas in the 70th minute on a penalty after replacing David Villa at the start of the second half. Villa, who leads the team with 15 goals, left with a hamstring injury but presumably will play Wednesday as he's not listed on the injury report.
Villa dazzled in the series' first two meetings, scoring twice each time, though Sebastian Giovinco recorded a hat trick over nine minutes in a 4-all draw at New York on July 12. NYCFC won 2-0 at Toronto on June 20.
New York City has been held to one goal in three straight and Villa is in danger of going three consecutive matches without a goal for the first time since a five-game slump April 16-May 23.
NYCFC has been involved in high-scoring matches at home lately, outscoring opponents 15-13 while going 2-2-1 in its last five there.
