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MLS: Playoff Power Rankings

By Andrew Dowdeswell

LOS ANGELES, CA - AUGUST 25: Carlos Vela #10 of Los Angeles FC celebrates his goal during Los Angeles FC's MLS match against Los Angeles Galaxy at the Banc of California Stadium on August 25, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. The match ended in a 3-3 draw. (Photo by Shaun Clark/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - AUGUST 25: Carlos Vela #10 of Los Angeles FC celebrates his goal during Los Angeles FC's MLS match against Los Angeles Galaxy at the Banc of California Stadium on August 25, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. The match ended in a 3-3 draw. (Photo by Shaun Clark/Getty Images) /
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TORONTO, ON – OCTOBER 06: Jozy Altidore (17) of Toronto FC screams in pain after being injured during the second half of 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: Jozy Altidore (17) of Toronto FC screams in pain after being injured during the second half of 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) /

6. Toronto FC

Toronto FC needed a Decision Day victory and capitulation from D.C. United to gain home-field advantage for Round One of the Audi 2019 MLS Cup Playoffs. As the fourth-place team in the Eastern Conference, they finished in the middle of the pack among playoff teams and thus have fairly come in with an average ranking of eighth among playoff teams from the MLS Multiplex experts.

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TFC have the experience to make a deep run in the playoffs, having reached the final in two of the past three seasons, winning the MLS Cup in 2017. Toronto have also lost just three of their past 18 matches and enter the playoffs without tasting defeat in ten straight. Momentum is on their side and, should they advance past D.C., they have strong records against both New York City FC and Atlanta United, the top two seeds in the conference.

But therein lies the problem. Their path to lifting the franchise’s second MLS Cup won’t be easy. Should they advance past Wayne Rooney and D.C., Toronto will face NYCFC in the Conference semi-finals. NYCFC reached a franchise-high 64 points in the regular season and have lost just once at home this year.

Should Toronto somehow upset City, there is then a chance of facing Josef Martínez and 2018 champions Atlanta United. Toronto are also facing the very real possibility of navigating the playoffs without the services of star striker Jozy Altidore. As recently as Thursday, Altidore was a no-show at TFC practice while still recovering from a quadriceps injury sustained on Decision Day. So yes, their form is good and their talent is superb, but the route is difficult and without Altidore, their prospects are tough.

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