September 11, 2012
MLS WEDNESDAY
A look at the upcoming game

Chicago Fire (13-8-5, 44 pts)@ Toronto FC (5-16-6, 21 pts), 6:00 pm CT (NBC 5.2, TSN2)
Hard-luck Toronto FC could be the first MLS team to be eliminated from postseason contention with a loss or tie against the Chicago Fire Wednesday night at BMO Field. A win keeps them alive into the weekend, but their fate is not in their own hands. The Reds are winless in seven straight in the wake of their 2-1 loss to Sporting Kansas City on September 1. Chicago has already taken the season series between the two teams, starting with a 3-2 road win on April 21 after Dominic Oduro netted the fasted goal in franchise history, 25 seconds after the opening whistle. Patrick Nyarko, whose first goal since June 17 clinched a 3-1 win over Houston on Labor Day Sunday, clinched the early win over TFC. Defender Austin Berry scored the 2-1 winner over Toronto on August 4. The Fire stayed sharp during the league’s recent World Cup Qualifying layoff with a 2-2 midweek draw against Mexico’s Santos Laguna, and acquired journeyman Wells Thompson on Monday to add a little more depth at midfield. Toronto has been severely depleted by national team callups, and are expected to be without defenders Ashtone Morgan (Canada) and Dicoy Williams (Jamaica); midfielders Terry Dunfield (Canada) and Reggie Lambe (Bermuda); forward Ryan Johnson (Jamaica) and goalkeeper Freddy Hall (Bermuda).