Toronto FC 1-4 NY Red Bulls | On the brink of elimination for TFC in MLS

This loss leaves Toronto FC in a very critical moment of the season, as the team is now on the verge of elimination from the MLS playoffs. In their match against New York Red Bulls, TFC faced a highly competitive side that capitalized on its chances in front of goal and exposed Toronto's defensive errors.

John Herdman fielded a fairly competitive lineup, but it didn’t yield the expected results due to the pressure the team was under. This pressure was evident on the field, raising concerns about the future of Herdman’s project at TFC. With very few young players and several aging veterans approaching retirement, Toronto FC may need to focus on building a younger squad for next season in MLS.

READ MORE: The squad chosen by John Herdman for the match between Toronto FC vs. New York Red Bulls

A difficult match in this defeat at BMO Field

John Herdman lined up with his usual 3-4-2-1 formation, creating a five-man defensive line, while in attack, they looked dangerous with two wingers, a striker, and additional support from the midfield. However, the match quickly became complicated.

In the 27th minute, New York Red Bulls were awarded a penalty, which Emil Forsberg converted to give his team a 1-0 lead. Despite this, Toronto FC entered halftime believing they could turn the game around.

Unfortunately, things didn’t improve in the second half. In the 48th minute, New York Red Bulls scored again, making it 0-2 and putting TFC in a critical position. Toronto’s biggest glimmer of hope came in the 66th minute when Prince Owusu converted a penalty to make it 1-2. But just three minutes later, another penalty was awarded to New York Red Bulls, and Lewis Morgan scored, extending the visitors’ lead to 1-3.

In the midst of the frustration, Federico Bernardeschi received a second yellow card in the 74th minute, further illustrating the team's struggles this season. Despite their solid buildup play in several games, the lack of positive results has left the team frustrated. Bernardeschi’s sending-off epitomized this disappointment. Then, in the 88th minute, New York Red Bulls sealed the 1-4 victory, wrapping up the match.

Now, Toronto FC finds themselves in 9th place in the Eastern Conference, in a very precarious position, as they have played one more game than several teams chasing them for a playoff spot. Their next match will be against Inter Miami on October 5th, with little hope remaining for a playoff berth this season.