With just two matches remaining in the MLS regular season, Toronto FC travels to Atlanta on Sunday looking to keep their playoff hopes alive.
The Reds (9-11-12, 39 points) sit 12th in the MLS Eastern Conference standings, four points back of the playoff cutline.
“(The team) knows where we are,” Toronto head coach Robin Fraser said. “I don’t need to beat that into their heads. It’s more about making sure that we have some solutions ready.
“We just need to be a little more efficient and proficient in how we attack and how we take care of the ball.”
Toronto heads to Atlanta with points in four of five matches (3-1-1), including a dramatic 2-1 midweek comeback win over D.C. United on Wednesday in its home finale.
Jonathan Osorio tied it 1-1 in the 64th minute with his first goal of the season, and Josh Sargent put the Reds ahead with just four minutes remaining in second-half regulation time as Toronto stretched its home unbeaten streak to eight matches following the World Cup break.
“I think we have to go with what we know, which is they’re a very talented group of players,” Fraser said of Atlanta. “We need to prepare ourselves for a talented group of players that we know can be very explosive on any particular day.”
Sunday is the second and final MLS regular-season meeting between Toronto and Atlanta. The 5-Stripes topped the Reds 2-1 north of the border on April 25.
Atlanta (8-18-6, 30 points), eliminated from MLS Cup playoff contention, will look to finish the season strong with eyes toward the 2027 season.
“We want them to continue seeing all the good things that they’ve been doing and to finish the season well,” Atlanta head coach Tata Martino said. “If we’re able to do that with wins, it’s even more important so that we can head into next season and the preseason building off of that.”
Midfielders Miguel Almiron and Alexey Miranchuk pace the 5-Stripes with six goals apiece this season.
Atlanta aims on Sunday to snap a three-match skid and earn points for the first time since a 3-0 win over CF Montreal on Oct. 14.
–Field Level Media
