By Joel Lefevre.
Published: September 16, 2024 | 16:48.
Last updated: September 16, 2024 | 20:36.
Toronto can take another step toward sealing a spot in the MLS Cup playoffs when they host the reigning champions, the Columbus Crew, at BMO Field on Wednesday.

Thanks to a 2-1 win over Austin FC this weekend, the Reds are five points above the Eastern Conference playoff line in seventh, while the Crew are third after a 0-0 tie with FC Cincinnati.

Many have speculated that the Toronto season will collapse this year, but to their credit, the Canadians continue to find ways to stay above that postseason line.

With five games remaining, they are only two points behind Charlotte FC for a top-seven spot and an automatic berth in the first round of the playoffs, but the three teams below them (Atlanta United, the Philadelphia Union, and CF Montreal) each have a game in hand.

Every time it looks like things are slipping away, John Herdman’s side seem to find a way to break out of a slump, winning four of their last six league encounters after losing six in a row.

Wednesday will be the second game in a three-game domestic homestand, with the Reds looking for back-to-back MLS victories at BMO Field for the second time this season.

By winning their remaining four home games, they would have surpassed last year’s regular-season win total at BMO Field (seven), which is their highest number since 2019 (nine).

TFC has suffered one setback in their previous five domestic games against the Crew in Toronto, losing 2-1 during the 2022 season.

wins total at BMO Field from a year ago (seven), which would be their highest total since 2019 (nine).

TFC have suffered one defeat in their previous five domestic encounters against the Crew in Toronto, losing 2-1 during the 2022 campaign.

Columbus’ hopes of winning the Supporters’ Shield for the fourth time in club history have been considerably lowered by a sluggish start to September, with the team being winless in two games.

Wilfried Nancy’s team has failed to score in consecutive league games, leaving them 12 points behind Inter Miami for first place with only seven games remaining.

Despite only earning one point in their Hell is Real Derby with Cincinnati this past weekend, Columbus was able to clinch a position in the MLS Cup playoffs on consecutive occasions for the first time since 2017 and 2018.

Their seven away wins in MLS this year are the most for this team in a single 34-game domestic campaign and three more than they had. a season ago.

If the Crew win at least three of their last seven league games, they will set a new single-season franchise record for points, exceeding the 57 achieved in 2008 and 2023.

Columbus has won their last two MLS games versus Toronto and is unbeaten in their previous two visits to BMO Field.

Derrick Etienne was an unused replacement for Toronto on Saturday after sustaining a slight knock, while Alonso Coello returned to the pitch for the first time since suffering a thigh injury weeks ago, playing nearly an hour before being replaced by Kosi Thompson.

Shane O’Neill replaced Henry Wingo late in the first half, received a yellow card with 20 minutes remaining, and will be suspended for this game.

Jonathan Osorio returned from international duty and scored the first goal seven minutes into their encounter against Austin, with Deandre Kerr scoring the victory after a half-hour, his second in a row.

Over the weekend, the Crew were once again without reserve goalie Evan Bush, who is still out with an arm injury.

Abraham Romero is eligible to return after serving a red card suspension in the draw against state rivals Cincinnati.

Patrick Schulte returned to goal for the Crew on Saturday, with Steven Moreira, Mohamed Farsi, and Cucho Hernandez joining the starting lineup.

Toronto’s likely starting lineup: Johnson, Mabika, Gomis, Petretta; Bernardeschi, Coello, Longstaff, Laryea; Osorio, Insigne; Kerr.

Columbus Crew’s likely starting lineup: Schulte; Moreira, Camacho, Amundsen; Farsi, Matan, Nagbe, Chambost; Ramirez, Rossi; Hernandez.