Toronto FC successfully kept alive its MLS playoff hopes earlier this week with a come-from-behind win at home. 

But TFC still has plenty of work to do, starting with Sunday’s road game vs. Atlanta United FC, if it hopes to clinch its first post-season berth since 2020. 

Toronto (9-11-12) enters this weekend in 11th place in the Eastern Conference, just two spots and two points below the playoff line with only two matches remaining in the season. The Reds could be eliminated from playoff contention after Sunday’s game under three scenarios: 

• Toronto loses/draws at Atlanta AND Columbus Crew win vs. D.C. United 

• Toronto loses at Atlanta AND Columbus draws vs. D.C. 

• Toronto loses at Atlanta AND New York Red Bulls win at Nashville SC. 

Realistically, TFC must win both remaining road games to close out the season to have a legitimate shot at making the playoffs. As a result, the team faces a pressure-filled situation where coach Robin Fraser will most likely rely on his veteran players who have the most experience. 

But Fraser might also look for help from defender Jackson Gilman, who has impressed when given opportunities during his rookie season. Gilman, 22, was a second-round pick in the 2026 MLS SuperDraft out of the University of Pittsburgh and, in February, signed with Toronto FC’s second team, TFC 2, and competed in the MLS NEXT Pro reserve league. 

With Toronto FC mired in an injury crisis, Gilman was signed to a short-term loan deal and made his senior team debut in a loss to Atlético Ottawa in the first round of the Canadian Championship in May. Despite his lack of experience, Fraser trusted Gilman enough to start him the following week in an MLS game against Charlotte FC, slotting him into the middle of the defence next to veteran Walker Zimmerman.   

Gilman responded with a man-of-the-match display for the Reds with his solid two-way play on the night — he was a dynamo on the defensive side of things with three blocked shots, two tackles, two interceptions and two clearances. He also had a perfectly good goal in the first half ruled out following a VAR review. Six days after the trip to North Carolina, Gilman was signed to an MLS contract, making him a full-fledged........

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