The big games aren't slowing down for Toronto FC.

As the 2026 MLS campaign heads full steam into its final weeks, the Eastern Conference playoff picture gets tighter and tighter. For the Reds, this means nearly every game is a six-pointer until they fall out of contention, or make it in for good.

Saturday's match away to Red Bull New York is the biggest one yet. With the side from New Jersey sitting eighth in the conference with 36 points, a win for Robin Fraser's 11th-placed side would put them level on points, and firmly in the conversation in the final four matchdays.

But, to do that, Toronto will need to pick up just a third road victory this season, and a first since a win in Miami back in August.

This will be the second and final meeting between the Reds and Red Bulls in 2026, with the first being a 1-1 draw at BMO Field all the way back in March, which was TFC's home opener. Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting equalized in the 97th minute with nearly the last kick of the game on that day, a goal that has a lot of consequence when looking at the standings now.

How Toronto enter the match

Operation save the season has been in full force coming out of the October international break, with TFC salvaging four points in the 90th minute or later in their past two matches, both at home.

The win over Montréal in the Canadian Classique was electric, but it feels like an opportunity was missed, only drawing Orlando, especially when Toronto carried a 2-1 lead into the 77th minute, and then needed a Matheus Pereira goal to equalize the game at three.

The focus now must be forward, as every three points matters for the rest of the campaign.

The good news of late for Robin Fraser has been the ability to get a majority of his best XI on the pitch at once, with the attack much improved when Theo Corbeanu, Đorđe Mihailović, Josh Sargent and Dániel Sallói are all on the pitch together, while Niklas Dorsch's addition to the midfield has done wonders for this team on both sides of the ball.

When the TFC manager has been able to have a full cadre of players available, this team has been able to grab some decent results.

They'll need one of their best showings of the season on Saturday, on the road with some heavy legs after two dramatic matches already this week, to keep their momentum alive.

How New York enter the match

It's been an up-and-down season in former TFC captain Michael Bradley's first year at the helm of the Red Bulls, which has led them to the thick of the playoff race as the final five games approach.

A decisive home win over San Diego last week was erased with a tough loss to DC United on Wednesday, which leaves the New Jersey-based side just three points above the red line, with a handful of teams clamouring to get above them.

A youth movement has been the trend of their season this year, with young American stars such as midfielder Adri Mehmeti and striker Julian Hall leading the way, and their strong form has led them to receive USMNT call-ups this fall.

While the season started trying to keep a very high defensive line and be an ultimate press-and-possess style of team, some tough form in the summer months and getting exposed on the break and with balls in behind the back line has forced Bradley to evolve the team tactically a bit.

In recent weeks, he's started dropping the lines back and being a bit more pragmatic with how and when this team presses, and when they try and suffocate their opponents. This has helped stabilize the group defensively, and that, alongside some improved play from goalkeeper Ethan Horvath, has led to more positive results of late.

They'll hope for another good result in this one against Toronto, as the Red Bulls' three following opponents are the top three teams in the East: Miami, New England and then Nashville, before they get an easier decision-day opponent in Atlanta.

Availability

Toronto will be in trouble on the back line this weekend, with Walker Zimmerman remaining out with injury, while both Benjamín Kuscevic and Richie Laryea miss out due to yellow card accumulation.

The midfield could see a boost with captain Jonathan Osorio returning from his own yellow card accumulation suspension, while Nelson Palacio remains out for the season through injury.

Meanwhile, RBNY seem to have a full bill of health, and don't suffer from any suspensions, either.

Projected XIs

With the stakes of this game, it would be fair to assume both sides will go as full-strength as possible, even with it being the third game in a week.

Toronto will see a pair of enforced changes on the back line, while Mihailović could be fit to start as he ramps up from his return from injury. 

New York is projected to make one change, with Emil Forsberg returning to the starting lineup.

Toronto FC (4-2-3-1): Luka Gavran; Matheus Pereira, Nicksoen Gomis, Zane Monlouis, Jackson Gilman; Jonathan Osorio, Niklas Dorsch; Dániel Sallói, Đorđe Mihailović, Theo Corbeanu; Josh Sargent

Red Bull New York (4-3-3): Ethan Horvath; Devin Padelford, Julián Bazán, Justin Che, Dylan Nealis; Emil Forsberg, Adri Mehmeti, Ronald Donkor; Cade Cowell, Julian Hall, Jorge Ruvalcaba