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MLS: Breaking down the Eastern Conference Playoffs

By Matt Coles

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - November 4: Maxime Chanot #4 of New York City and Jeff Larentowicz #18 of Atlanta United jostle for position at corner kick during the New York City FC Vs Atlanta United FC MLS Eastern Conference Semifinal match at Yankee Stadium on November 4th, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Tim Clayton/Corbis via Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - November 4: Maxime Chanot #4 of New York City and Jeff Larentowicz #18 of Atlanta United jostle for position at corner kick during the New York City FC Vs Atlanta United FC MLS Eastern Conference Semifinal match at Yankee Stadium on November 4th, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Tim Clayton/Corbis via Getty Images) /
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TORONTO, ON – OCTOBER 06: Toronto FC players huddle up before the MLS regular season match between Toronto FC and Columbus Crew on October 6, 2019, at BMO Field in Toronto, ON, Canada. (Photo by Julian Avram/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON – OCTOBER 06: Toronto FC players huddle up before the MLS regular season match between Toronto FC and Columbus Crew on October 6, 2019, at BMO Field in Toronto, ON, Canada. (Photo by Julian Avram/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

[4] Toronto FC

2017 MLS Cup Champions Toronto FC are back in the postseason after a disappointing end to the 2018 campaign where they failed to follow up on their success. This season, they have returned to the playoffs, thanks to finishing in fourth in the East, only the third time they have ended the regular season inside the top four in the Conference.

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Unlike others in the league, the Canadian side started with three straight victories and were flying high, but they then only managed to secure three more victories in the following three months. In that time, they dropped points away to fellow playoff teams, in Atlanta, Seattle, Real Salt Lake and FC Dallas, as well as losing at home to Portland and Philadelphia.

However, they were able to bounce back and went on an unbeaten run of ten games to end the campaign, with four victories and six draws, as they pushed their way back into the top seven. Toronto eventually finished in fourth place, thanks to a gritty 1-0 win over the Crew on Decision Day, which moved them ahead of D.C. United on goal difference, the team they will now face in the first round of the playoffs.

Can TFC continue their unbeaten run into the playoffs? If so, could they secure a second MLS Cup title in three seasons?

First Round Fixture – Saturday 19th, 18:00 ET:

[4] Toronto FC v [5] D.C. United

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