Nuke Soccer

TORONTO, ON — Toronto FC is still working hard to earn their first taste of Major League Soccer postseason action, but the club and its fans will get an appetizer this weekend. Saturday’s match between the Reds and Real Salt Lake is, for all intents and purposes, a knockout game for the home side.

TFC enters the game with 36 points, two back of New England for the eighth and final playoff spot. DC United and FC Dallas also have 36 points, while Real have 37 after their win against New York last Wednesday. The Reds would technically still be alive if they draw and New England, Dallas and DC all lose on the weekend, but TFC interim head coach Chris Cummins knows that realistically, his team needs the maximum three points.

“If we don’t win on the weekend, that’s it, the season’s over,” said TFC interim head coach Chris Cummins. “It’s up to us to go out there and perform for 92 or 93 minutes.”

Cummins’ specific mention of the time beyond the usual 90 minutes is a sign of what TFC’s preparations have centered on during the week — staying aggressive for the entire match and not allowing late goals. The Reds were rocked by a stoppage-time equalizer last weekend that turned a win against the San Jose Earthquakes into a 1-1 draw. It was the 15th goal that Toronto has allowed after the 75th minute this season.

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