Both teams need points to get into the playoffs, but one team, Toronto, has been gutted by call-ups while the other, Dallas, is ready to keep on rolling. FC Dallas v. Toronto FC When: 8:30 pm ET, Saturday, October 11 Where: Pizza Hut Park, Frisco, TX TV: FSC The Gist: This is the only game of the weekend that pits two teams currently on the outside of the playoff race against one another. Dallas is currently level on points with Colorado, who hold the final wild card spot, but they are both just two points behind Real Salt Lake for third in the West. Toronto are in the cellar of the East, but could pull themselves into a tie with Dallas with a win. The Reds just snapped a seven game winless skid with a resounding defeat of New York. Even more impressive was the fact that the game came on the road. However, with their team gutted yet again, Toronto will be happy to take a single point out of this game. Dallas has put together a solid four game unbeaten run, atypical for their results at this point of the season in years past. With their final two games of the season on the road -- at Salt Lake and Los Angeles -- the Hoops need to finish at Pizza Hut Park with the full three points to have a legitimate shot of knocking another team out of the postseason. Why You Should Care: Once again on an international date, Toronto head coach John Carver is down to a skeleton roster. Five players are away to play for their respective national teams. But at least no one is suspended, so he’s got that going for him. Dallas downed Toronto at BMO Field earlier in the season when the Reds were at full strength and had yet to lose at home. Kenny Cooper scored both goals and there is no reason to suspect another brace is out of the question with Toronto’s back line that is without Kevin Harmse and Tyrone Marshall. The Hoops also have a leg up, as Jeff Cunningham will suit up for them, not Toronto this go around. However, TFC have done well with the acquisition of Chad Barrett. The Wayne Rooney look-a-like is scoring goals at a good clip, including a pair last week. However, his production will take a hit without the services of Amado Guevara in midfield. The warm body that Carver pencils into Guevara’s spot -- likely Johann Smith -- will find the going tough against Pablo Ricchetti. Marvell Wynne should find success with his blazing speed on the right and will have to be the focal point of advancing the ball for Toronto. Goal.com
