TFC: Reds playing out the string, but can sting Impact by playing spoiler

MONTREAL— Facing elimination for the first time this season, the Montreal Impact know they need a minor miracle to make the Major League Soccer playoffs.

The Impact need at least four points from their final two games to stay alive in the threeteam playoff race in the Eastern Conference. The first hurdle is defeating rivals Toronto FC in Montreal on Sunday afternoon.

Montreal (13-15-4) is seventh in the East, four points behind sixth-place D.C. United (13-11-8) and five points behind the fifthplace Columbus Crew (13-10-9). Six teams make the playoffs in each conference.

The Impact would be eliminated from playoff contention with a loss to Toronto on Sunday. Even if they beat Toronto, they’ll be eliminated if D.C. wins in New York City and if Columbus defeats Orlando City.

“Our destiny isn’t in our own hands right now,” said midfielder Saphir Taider before practice Saturday morning. “It’s complicated but everything is possible in soccer. There’s no losing hope. Crazier things have happened. It would be silly of us not to give it our all going forward.

“We really want to go to the playoffs. There’s no denying that. We’re all competitive here. If we win our next two games, but don’t make the playoffs, we won’t be satisfied.”

Idle for the last two weeks, the Impact could only watch as D.C. United won three consecutive one-goal games to overtake them in the standings.

The Crew seem likelier to falter — they’ve won once in their past five.

For defending champions Toronto FC (9-17-6), who were eliminated from playoff contention two weeks ago, Sunday’s clash is a chance to play spoiler.

In what has been a disappointing season for TFC, eliminating their biggest rival could be a small consolation prize.

“You’re running into a team that’s playing for their lives at this point,” Toronto coach Greg Vanney told the team’s website this week. “They’re at home and they’re our rivals. They have a lot of purpose to play well and we have to make sure that our collective purpose is there as well.

“These games tend to get exciting because it’s almost like a knockout game. They have to come away with a win and they’ll be playing as such. We’ll see what kind of space opens up.”