Ahead of Sunday's must-win match, Toronto FC manager Robin Fraser said this about his players' mentality under their current circumstances: "They know where we are; I don't need to beat that into their heads; it's more about having some solutions ready."
With their play-off aspirations precariously on the line, the Reds need solutions because they need wins — nothing more and certainly nothing less. The surest way to do that is to take an early lead and play from a position of strength, instead of continuing their penchant for surrendering early goals and then needing to find ways to battle back late.
Games against Atlanta United have been tight, low-scoring affairs, but Toronto have not beaten them since their 2-0 win on 23 March 2024 at BMO Field. Last year the two teams shared the points in both encounters, and earlier this season Atlanta came out 2-1 victors at BMO Field on 25 April 2026.
How Atlanta enter the match
Atlanta United have been officially eliminated from post-season contention following their mid-week 2-1 loss to New York City FC. The defeat sealed a second consecutive year of missing the post-season for the club.
Atlanta are well back of the play-off contenders in 14th place in MLS's Eastern Conference, just behind DC United and ahead of last-placed CF Montréal, with just 30 points and a goal difference of -16.
Atlanta have lost four of their last five matches, their sole victory being a 3-0 drubbing of CF Montréal at Stade Saputo on 14 October 2026. It has been a long and trying season for Tata Martino's squad.
Among Atlanta's bright spots are forward Breel Embolo, a summer acquisition, and midfielder Cooper Sanchez, who was recently named to the MLS 2026 22 Under 22 list. Midfielders Aleksei Miranchuk and veteran Miguel Almirón are also key contributors who drive the Atlanta attack.
Both Miranchuk and Almirón have six goals and six assists, while Swiss international Embolo has been off to a productive start in MLS with four goals and an assist in his ten matches since arriving after the World Cup in the summer window.
There may be some change between the sticks, where starting goalkeeper Lucas Hoyos has appeared in all 32 regular-season matches. It has been a tough season for the Argentine journeyman, who holds a .576 save percentage — 27th in MLS among goalkeepers with at least 20 starts.
With the team eliminated and looking ahead, could 22-year-old prospect Jayden Hibbert replace the 37-year-old Hoyos? The multi-national Hibbert, who most recently received a Canada call-up, has only appeared in three US Open Cup matches and a handful of MLS Next Pro games this season.
Toronto's form of late
Toronto enter their penultimate match with a respectable three wins and a draw in their last five matches. However, the loss to Columbus was a serious setback to their play-off ambitions and took on more weight than it should have, owing more to the team's poor run of form early in the season.
Toronto have been healthy of late, with the majority of their best talents available for selection at every position. The only likely sure starter missing is centre-back Walker Zimmerman.
The key to Toronto's success once again rides on the growing chemistry and form of their attacking front four, consisting of designated players Đorđe Mihailović at attacking midfield and Josh Sargent at striker, supported by indispensable wingers Dániel Sallói and Theo Corbeanu. In these late-season must-win matches, TFC manager Robin Fraser cannot afford to leave any of these four out of the starting XI.
Sarge making his mark 🫡
— Toronto FC (@TorontoFC) October 29, 2026
Josh Sargent earns a spot on the @mls Team of the Matchday 33 bench
📰: https://t.co/vqehMZ62lf pic.twitter.com/j9mFphsFsD
The mid-season acquisition of central midfielder Niklas Dorsch has answered many questions for the team on both sides of the ball. His defensive work has further strengthened the entire defensive unit.
Toronto enter this match in 12th place in the Eastern Conference, two spots off the final post-season berth currently held by Orlando City SC after Saturday's results. TFC sit on 39 points with just two games remaining, while Orlando City sit on 43.
The pressure is firmly on Toronto. Aside from winning out, they will need some help, with Orlando, Red Bull New York, and New York City FC — the latter two level with Toronto on points but ahead on various tie-breakers — all needing to drop points if the Reds are to extend their season. The Columbus Crew have moved up into eighth spot with 44 points.
Player Availability
Neither Atlanta nor Toronto have many players unavailable for selection due to injury, and neither team has any suspended players to report.
Atlanta will be missing centre-back Enea Mihaj (hip) and central midfielder Will Reilly (ankle).
Toronto continue to be without full-back Kobe Franklin (shoulder), central midfielder Nelson Palacio (thigh), and centre-back Walker Zimmerman (ankle).
Projected XIs
Atlanta United FC (4-3-3): Jayden Hibbert; Elías Báez, Júnior Alonso, Paulo Díaz, Tomás Jacob; Tristan Muyumba, Mauricio Amaro, Giuliano Galoppo; Miguel Almirón, Breel Embolo, Aleksei Miranchuk
Toronto FC (4-2-3-1): Luka Gavran; Matheus Pereira, Benjamín Kuscevic, Zane Monlouis, Richie Laryea; Jonathan Osorio, Niklas Dorsch; Dániel Sallói, Đorđe Mihailović, Theo Corbeanu; Josh Sargent
Game information and how to watch
📅 Sunday, 1 November 2026
⏰ 4:30 pm ET / 7:30 pm PT
📺 Apple TV, TSN
⚖️ Filip Dujic
🏟 Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, Georgia
