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Columbus look to rebound in Toronto

Toronto, ON (Sports Network) - The Columbus Crew make their first-ever trip to Toronto Saturday in an effort to get the bad taste out of their mouths from their most recent Major League Soccer fixture.

Columbus, which is three points out of the final playoff spot with just five games remaining heading into Saturday's games, lost a heartbreaker Saturday at Kansas City in which it held a 2-1 lead in second-half stoppage time.

The Wizards got a penalty kick goal by Eddie Johnson and a game-winner on a counter attack by Scott Sealy to win the game in improbable fashion while dealing the Crew's playoff chances a damaging blow.

"It was a difficult night for us," Crew forward Alejandro Moreno said. "We tried to do everything in order to get a result here and then the penalty kick goes their way and then lack of concentration lets us walk out of here with zero points."

"We had the three points in the 90th minute and it is unacceptable to come out here and not get the points after how hard we have worked," Crew forward Jason Garey said after the loss. "It is definitely not over and the season is not over yet."

The Crew, who are on a seven-game winless streak, haven't won since beating Toronto 2-0 at crew Stadium on July 22, and will be looking for the same result Saturday at BMO Field.

Toronto FC is not mathematically eliminated from playoff contention yet, but are currently 10 points back with five to go, meaning its spot is highly unlikely.

What the Canadian expansion franchise is gunning for is its first goal since July 7 at Chicago. The club is currently on an MLS record 822 minute scoreless streak.

"Today was ... I'm actually speechless," TFC coach Mo Johnston said after the team's scoreless draw with 10-man Real Salt Lake in its last fixture. "I felt the guys gave a great effort, I really feel bad for them, because whatever they try in front of goal it's just not going in. It's ricocheting off someone, it's going by for corners, and it's getting cleared off the line. We have clear chances and it's just a matter of putting one of them away."

TFC will get a big boost with the return of striker Jeff Cunningham from injury, but will still be without forward Danny Dichio and midfielder Ronnie O'Brien.

"I felt I was moving around pretty well, didn't get as many touches as I would like, but I'm going to go as far as to say another week and no more excuses," Cunningham said after seeing his first game action in weeks against Real Salt Lake Saturday.

Also expected to be missing for Toronto are Marvell Wynn and defender Adam Braz because of a hamstring injury and religious commitments, respectively.

The Crew should welcome back team and possible league MVP Guillermo Barros Schelotto, who has missed most of the past two games with a hamstring injury and a yellow card suspension. he is listed as questionable on the team's injury report.

After Saturday afternoon's fixture, Columbus will host Los Angeles on Sept. 30 while Toronto plays at D.C. a day earlier.

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