Toronto FC return from the international break Saturday for a crucial edition of the 401 Derby, hosting arch-rivals CF Montréal at BMO Field at 1 p.m. ET in a game the hosts can hardly afford to lose. Toronto (6-10-11, 29 points) sit 13th in the Eastern Conference, four points behind New York City FC for the final playoff spot with seven games remaining.
The Reds are riding a three-game losing skid and haven't won since Sept. 9, scoring just one goal in their last three fixtures. 'Recently I heard a fan say this to someone, that they don't care about anything but the Montreal game,' Toronto coach Robin Fraser said. 'We are running out of opportunities, so for sure it feels like a must-win.'
Midfielder Niklas Dorsch framed the stakes even more starkly: 'It's already like a playoff game. If you don't win that game, I think it's almost clear that it's done for us coming into the playoffs. We know there's no time to waste.'
CF Montréal (6-15-6, 24 points) are last in the conference but stunned playoff hopefuls FC Cincinnati 3-1 before the break behind a Prince Owusu brace, and nine players return from international duty for the trip to Toronto. The last Canadian Classique meeting ended in a 0-0 draw at Stade Saputo on July 16.
