Toronto playing for pride after missing out on playoffs

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Despite missing out on an MLS playoff spot, Robin Fraser says Toronto FC are playing for pride when they travel to the Philadelphia Union on Decision Day.Toronto sit 12th in the Eastern Conference with 39 points, four behind ninth-place Orlando City SC, with their 3-1 loss to Atlanta United last weekend ending their outside hopes of reaching the playoffs.The Reds had given themselves hope, losing just one of their five games prior to the Atlanta defeat, but they now know their season will be coming to an end on Saturday.Fraser was disappointed with the outcome of their campaign, but he is still determined to make sure they finish the regular season on a high."Obviously, people are let down," said Fraser. "But I do think that from what we've seen, this pride factor is an important thing."There are guys who have different things to play for – whether it's contracts or longevity or starting positions – there's always something to play for, I think, as a professional."Of course, we want to finish on a good note. First and foremost is to win the game. We want to do all things the right way."If you're a professional, I feel like that should be your obligation. There's no other thought."Philadelphia's postseason place is already confirmed as they sit sixth in the East, but a poor result this weekend could see them drop out of the automatic places into one of the wildcard spots.After storming back into the playoff picture with stunning form after the World Cup break, the Union have slipped at the wrong time, failing to win any of their last four league games (D2 L2), including a 1-0 loss to FC Cincinnati last time out.And ahead of Decision Day, club captain Alejandro Bedoya has revealed he will be retiring at the end of the 2026 season, after 11 seasons at the club."When I look back on my time in Philadelphia, so many moments come to mind, from the big wins and incredible matches to the challenges we faced along the way," said Bedoya."However, what stands out most is everything beyond the game. I came here because I believed in what the club was building and wanted to be part of that vision. Over time, Philadelphia became so much more than the place I came to play soccer."I'll miss this city and this club tremendously, but I take comfort in knowing I've given everything I had on the pitch."Philadelphia and this club have given me more than I ever could have imagined when I first arrived, and I'll always be grateful for that."PLAYERS TO WATCHPhiladelphia Union – Neil PierreFour of Neil Pierre's five goals this season have been headed goals, tied for the most headed goals in a single regular season by a Union player.Tai Baribo netted four headed goals in both 2024 and 2025, while Cory Burke notched four in 2018.Toronto FC – Lewis MorganLewis Morgan scored his third goal of the season, and his second goal as a substitute for Toronto in 2026 in Sunday's defeat.Prior to this season, just one of Morgan's 34 career MLS regular-season goals had come in matches in which he did not start.MATCH PREDICTION: PHILADELPHIA UNION WINWith a 1-1 draw in August 2025 and a 3-3 draw in April, Philadelphia and Toronto have drawn two or more consecutive matches across all competitions for the second time. The clubs previously drew three straight meetings spanning 2012 and 2013.The Union have scored more goals than any team in MLS (44) since returning from the World Cup break but have scored no more than one goal in any of their last three matches. They had scored multiple goals in nine straight matches prior to their current drought.Toronto suffered their seventh multi-goal road loss of the season against Atlanta, with only Sporting Kansas City (nine) and Orlando (eight) having more.Toronto's 33 away losses by multiple goals over the last five seasons are tied with the Colorado Rapids for the most in MLS.OPTA WIN PROBABILITYPhiladelphia Union – 62.4%Draw – 19.9%Toronto FC – 17.7%