With Shield on the line, Reds need a little help

Finishing in top spot will only be possible if Revs deny Union win

The Supporters’ Shield will be on the line Sunday, but all Toronto FC can do is take care of its own business against the New York Red Bulls on MLS Decision Day.

TFC needs a win or tie and help from New England, which visits Philadelphia, to hoist the trophy that goes to the team with the best regular-season record.

After pandemic-related cancellations across the league made it impossible for teams to play the same number of games, MLS decided to rank teams by points per game rather than total points. Toronto and Philadelphia go into Sunday at 13-4-5 — 44 points apiece in 22 games, or an even two per game.

TFC needs to pick up more points than Philadelphia to take the regular-season title. If they both win or tie, they would finish with the same number of points and wins but the Union would take the tiebreaker: goal differential per match, 1.00 to 0.36.

“Our approach is to try and get a result on the weekend and hope that the other result goes in our favour and (we can) raise another trophy,” said Toronto FC coach Greg Vanney. “But the only thing we can control is ourselves and our performance. At the end of 90 minutes, hopefully our performance is good enough to get the win.”

Added captain Michael Bradley: “The most important thing for us is to worry about ourselves. The most important thing is to step on the field, go after the game in a really good strong way, try to finish off the regular season playing really well and taking a big three points.

“Will we keep an eye on what’s going on in Philadelphia? Absolutely.”

The odds would seem to favour Philadelphia, which has won all eight home games this season, in pursuit of its first trophy. All Eastern Conference finales kick off at 3:30 p.m. Sunday.

The Supporters’ Shield carries with it home-field advantage throughout the playoffs as well as a $150,000 (U.S.) prize. The Union are also playing for a berth in the 2021 CONCACAF Champions League. Canadian teams can only qualify via the Canadian Championship.

A 5-0 defeat in Philadelphia on Oct. 24 and a 1-0 loss to New York City FC four days later in Hartford cost Toronto, which was ravaged by injuries at the time.

The Union let Toronto back in the hunt by losing 2-1in Columbus last Sunday.

TFC striker Jozy Altidore. who has missed seven games with a hamstring strain, and midfielder Jonathan Osorio, who sat out the last three, could be in the mix. If available, they would probably start on the bench.

Fullback Justin Morrow, midfielder Marky Delgado and attacking midfielder/forward Pablo Piatti are said to be progressing but may have to wait until the playoffs, which open Nov. 20.

“We’re getting healthier,” said Vanney.

The host Red Bulls (8-9-5) go into Sunday’s contest in seventh place in the East.