Major League Soccer's playoffs may not start for another two weeks, but as far as Real Salt Lake is concerned, the postseason has already begun.
Facing a week when RSL (10-11-7) likely needs a pair of wins to stay in the hunt for a playoff spot, the team picked up the first three points on Wednesday with a 2-0 win at home over the New York Red Bulls. Now RSL faces another win-or-go-home situation this afternoon at Toronto FC.
"It means we're still alive," said RSL coach Jason Kreis following his team's win over New York. "We're still alive and we can live to fight another day. (Today is) another cup final for Real Salt Lake."
Today's game is equally important for Toronto FC (9-10-9), which is in a similar situation as RSL. Either team would see its playoff hopes vanish with a loss, and a tie would also very likely end any dream of a playoff spot for both sides.
RSL has 37 points and is one point behind New England, which holds the eight-spot in the standings and plays host Chicago today. Toronto FC, DC United and FC Dallas are all one point behind RSL.
The players are trying not to worry about what they can't control, and according to midfielder Kyle Beckerman all the team should focus on is picking up its second win in a four-day span.
"The first one was the most important," Beckerman said. "We'll take it. I'm kind of glad we have a short turnaround and we can't think about anything. We'll take this buzz into Toronto and it would be nice if we could get a win."
With today's game being the second in four days, Kreis said he might tinker with the lineup in order to get fresh legs on the field. The fact that there is a turf field at BMO could also factor into Kreis' decisions since, thanks to some injuries this season, a few of the players would have a difficult time playing without pain on the turf.
RSL ends the regular season a week from today at home against the Colorado Rapids.
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