After coming out on the wrong side of a 2-0 scoreline in a fiery encounter with Atlanta United, Toronto FC have officially been eliminated from the MLS Cup Playoff race.
Three-time finalists and winners in 2017, TFC have missed the playoffs just once in their previous six seasons, establishing themselves as a MLS powerhouse.
But the Canadian side have struggled since manager Greg Vanney departed for the LA Galaxy at the start of the season. Replacement Chris Armas lasted just 15 games, managing only two wins and losing 10 times during his short tenure.
Javier Perez has since stabilised TFC and lifted them off the foot of the Eastern Conference with six wins from 18 games. But their defeat to Atlanta on Saturday, sealed by goals from Luiz Araujo and Marcelino Moreno, leaves Toronto 16 points adrift of CF Montreal with just five games remaining.
Even so, Perez has expressed pride at the way his team never gave up fighting, also insisting it'll stay that way for the rest of the regular season, especially considering TFC have a Canadian Championship semi-final against Pacific FC to look forward to at the start of November.
