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Earthquakes-Toronto FC Preview

Sep 24, 2010 - 6:08 PM By MIKE LIPKA STATS Editor

San Jose (10-7-6) at Toronto FC (8-10-7), 4:00 p.m. EDT

While the San Jose Earthquakes are closing in on their first playoff appearance since the franchise's return, their next opponent is in a more desperate situation in the postseason race.

Toronto FC looks to earn a badly needed three points as it tries to make up ground on the visiting Earthquakes, who can run their unbeaten streak to four Saturday in coach Frank Yallop's home country.

San Jose's 2-0-1 record in September has boosted the club's push toward the postseason, a destination that has eluded the Earthquakes (10-7-6) since they returned to MLS in 2008. They're tied with Seattle Sounders FC as the teams occupy the league's final playoff spots.

Kansas City and Toronto remain in pursuit, although TFC (8-10-7) is five points back as it begins a vital week. After facing San Jose, Toronto travels to Seattle for another important matchup.

The club has never reached the MLS playoffs.

"Going forward we know it is down to us," TFC defender Dan Gargan told MLS' official website. "We can't look at the scoreboard anymore because that isn't going to affect us. We have to take care of our own business."

Toronto hoped to create a spark by firing coach Preki and general manager Mo Johnston on Sept. 14. The team won interim coach Nick Dasovic's MLS debut last Saturday, 2-1 over Houston.

Dasovic and Yallop were teammates on Canada's national team during the 1990s, and Yallop's Earthquakes have managed some success in Canada. San Jose is 0-0-2 at BMO Field, where TFC has gone 20-7-16 since the start of 2008.

The Earthquakes have gotten a boost from the August arrival of designated player Geovanni, and his Brazilian compatriot Eduardo may be on the verge of helping. Eduardo has made back-to-back appearances after missing most of the season with injuries.

Chris Wondolowski has provided the bulk of San Jose's offense, scoring his team-high ninth goal and sixth game-winner in a 1-0 victory over Philadelphia on Sept. 15. Jon Busch notched his second consecutive shutout.

San Jose hasn't played since and may be the fresher team. Saturday's match will be Toronto's seventh in 22 days, and TFC played to a scoreless draw with Cruz Azul in CONCACAF Champions League action Tuesday.

"They have had a lot of games recently, so hopefully we can capitalize on that," Earthquakes midfielder Sam Cronin said. "I think it will be an inspired Toronto team we see at the weekend. Three points is almost a must for them, so it is going to be a tough game."

Toronto got three points at San Jose on May 29, winning 3-1 behind Dwayne De Rosario's two second-half goals. De Rosario, tied for third in MLS with 11 goals, played five seasons and won two MLS Cups with the Earthquakes before the franchise's first incarnation moved to Houston.

This game will have special significance for Cronin, who makes his first visit to Toronto since the team traded him to the Earthquakes for allocation money June 21. He was drafted second overall by Toronto in 2009.