Week 30: Examiner.com's MLS preview, Part II: Toronto FC still searching for a run

October 9, 11:16 PMMLS ExaminerCharlie Corr

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Toronto FC's 2009 season has been all over the map. There is only one point during the season when you can state that the Reds had a few things going for themselves, and that was from mid-June to mid-July.

During a five-game stretch Toronto put together a 3-1-1 record. The draw came against the Houston Dynamo, back-to-back home victories against the lowly New York Red Bulls, and a road win against the San Jose Earthquakes.

Toronto hosts the Quakes on Saturday and more or less needs to win out to have a legitimate shot at the playoffs. Maybe the Reds can get away with a draw during this final three-game stretch, but clearly they would like to avoid that scenario.

The Reds do have a mediocre strength in schedule to close out the regular season. Aside from Saturday's Quakes game, they end the season on the road against the Red Bulls. Sandwiched in the middle on Oct. 17 is a key match against Real Salt Lake at BMO Field. RSL topped Toronto, 3-0, during that aforementioned five-game stretch earlier this season.

This season's most valuable player candidate could come down to who squeaks into the playoffs. New England's Shalrie Joseph is turning into a popular choice if the frequently-injured Revolution get in.

But if the Revs fall short of the postseason, this three-game window makes for the perfect opportunity for Toronto's Dwayne De Rosario to display some MVP-like leadership to the finish.

He's responsible for almost a third of the team's offense with 11 goals. He is only behind Amado Guevara in assists. And looking at this weekend as a whole, this is Toronto's potential key turning point. With a win and a Revs loss to the Columbus Crew, both Toronto and New England would be tied in points with 38. The Revs currently hold the final playoff spot if the season ended right now.

De Rosario is an unquestionable leader on this Reds squad. That goes without saying. But they need him to act like this league's most valuable player to stand a chance at the postseason.

SATURDAY'S MATCHES

• San Jose Earthquakes (7-13-7) at Toronto FC (9-10-8): Winner - Toronto FC (Check out Bay Area Soccer Examiner Giovanni Albanese Jr.'s coverage.)

• Columbus Crew (12-5-10) at New England Revolution (10-9-8): Winner - Columbus Crew (Check out Boston Soccer Examiner L.E. Eisenmenger's coverage.)

• Kansas City Wizards (8-11-8) at Chivas USA (12-9-5): Winner - Chivas USA (Check out Kansas City Wizards Examiner Brent Lager's and Chivas USA Examiner John Santos' coverage.)

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(Prediction record last week: 2-3 with 2 draws. My cumulative record: 58-44 with 42 draws. ***Please note, all draws are actual MLS draws - this forum only decides winners and losers each week.***)

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• U.S. MNT's World Cup qualifier: The U.S. Men's National Team's match against Honduras on Saturday (10 p.m. ET) is not going to be televised worldwide. But if you are willing to leave the confines of your house, there are some locations to catch the game as the U.S. attempts to clinch a spot in the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa. CLICK HERE for the full list.

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Charlie Corr is a freelance sports writer based in Chicago. In addition to his Major League Soccer duties, he is the Chicago Sports Examiner and the creator of a Chicago-based soccer Web site, SlideTackles.net.

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