Toronto FC aim to bolster playoff hopes vs. D.C. United

Toronto FC are looking to strengthen their chances at their first MLS playoff appearance since 2020. A win against visiting D.C. United on Saturday would be a big help.

Toronto (10-14-3, 33 points) sits eighth in the Eastern Conference standings thanks to three wins in its past four league matches, its most recent outing a 1-0 victory at the Houston Dynamo on Aug. 24.

But the club might be without Lorenzo Insigne (four goals, seven assists) for the match Saturday. The winger has what Toronto coach John Herdman has called a minor groin injury.

"He had a really difficult preseason and then he just started to find his rhythm and picked up the hamstring injury (in March) against (Atlanta United)," Herdman said, according to Waking the Red. "And I think that put a lot of doubt in his mind, he just didn't know how far he could push his levels ... Now, he's enjoying his football."

D.C. (6-12-8, 26 points) sits last in the East. Despite just two points separating it and Atlanta for the ninth and final playoff spot in the conference, there are five teams between the two in the standings.

Despite losing a wild 4-3 match against FC Dallas last time out while finishing the evening with 10 men, D.C. United coach Troy Lesesne is keeping a positive outlook.

"(With) eight matches (remaining), there's a lot of points. There's a lot to be played left," Lesesne said. "I know the group really felt let down after the Dallas match. But then you look at this week and we have another opportunity that's right in front of us. And so we have to still stick to what we try to do as a group."

Christian Benteke, who scored his 17th goal of the season against Dallas -- tying him with Real Salt Lake's Cristian Arango for the MLS lead -- signed a contract extension on Wednesday through 2025 with an option for 2026.

"He wants to see D.C. United reach the potential that it used to reach," Lesesne said. "We're in the process of that, but we have a long way to go. When you have a guy like that sign on and say, 'I see where this is going,' it does send a really clear message about what we're trying to do."

--Field Level Media