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Struggling sides square off as Chivas meets TFC

Sep 19, 2014 - 9:27 PM Toronto, ON (SportsNetwork.com) - A pair of slumping teams meet up at BMO Field on Sunday as Toronto FC takes on Chivas USA with both sides in desperate need of a win.

Chivas is riding a 10-game winless streak and could be eliminated from playoff contention as early as Sunday, while Toronto has failed to win any of its last six games but still remains within three points of a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.

Toronto was able to rescue a point against Chicago in its last league outing as Dwayne De Rosario scored the equalizing goal in the 89th minute to salvage a 1-1 draw, but if TFC wants to have any chance at reaching the postseason for the first time, they must take three points from Chivas.

Things have been headed in the wrong direction for Toronto since the World Cup break ended in late June with the club winning just three of its 16 games in league play, leading to steady drop in the standings.

That poor run of form cost head coach Ryan Nelsen his job, and now it is Greg Vanney who is charged with turning things around in time to help Toronto clinch that elusive postseason spot.

Midfielder Michael Bradley would love for his team to raise its level of play and begin to collect three points at a time, but he knows his side cannot afford to look past Chivas on Sunday.

"It's been a tough season for Chivas, but knowing some of their players, knowing their coach a little bit, they will still be a team that is going to be committed, fighting till the very end," Bradley said.

It has certainly been a tough season for the Goats, who can be eliminated from playoff contention if Vancouver beats Portland on Saturday and the team loses to Toronto on Sunday.

During its current 10-game winless streak, Chivas has been outscored 24-3, yet goalkeeper Dan Kennedy feels as though his team still has plenty of incentive the rest of the campaign.

"Plenty to play for. Now we get a little bit of a break with this Friday night game, and we gotta come back and put in a good effort and prepare," Kennedy said after a 4-0 defeat to Sporting Kansas City last Friday. "With six games left now, it's important that we find a way to get something out of them. We are fighting for everything here."

The fact that Chivas will be without top scorer Erick Torres for Sunday's game won't help as the Mexican is out through suspension.