It took nine years for Toronto FC to finally clinch a berth in the MLS Cup Playoffs. And on Decision Day this Sunday, a road victory over the rival Montreal Impact will earn them a home date and a potential first round bye heading into the postseason.

Catch Montreal Impact vs. Toronto FC as part of TSN's live MLS Decision Day coverage, Sunday at 5pm et/2pm pt on TSN4, TSN5 and TSN GO.

To grab one of the top two spots in the Eastern Conference and an automatic spot in the Conference semifinals, Toronto FC will need a victory against their 401 rivals and a draw between D.C. United and Columbus Crew.

Both of those matches will kick-off simultaneously with two other Eastern Conference games on Decision Day, as every game can affect the playoff race happen at the same time for the first time in league history.

“It adds that element of excitement for the fans and for the neutral fans looking in, for us it’s good because we can focus on the game at hand and not have to worry about other results,” Toronto FC forward Jozy Altidore told TSN.ca. “For us, we have to go to Montreal and do a job and worry about the rest after.”

All of the Western Conference games, as well as a match between New York Red Bulls at Chicago Fire, begin at 7pm et/4pm pt to settle the rest of the playoff picture.

TFC currently sits in fourth place, one point ahead of Montreal, and will earn a home playoff date with a draw or win against the Impact, a game the Toronto forward does not expect to be easy.

“It’s a tough place to go at this time of the season - from my experience here as the season trickles down, the games get tougher,” said Altidore. “Montreal has everything to play for, so it won’t be an easy game but we have a good team, we believe in ourselves and I think it will be a great game.”

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Superstar teammate Sebastian Giovinco will also be looking to put the finishing touches on the Golden Boot, which would be the culmination of a fantastic first season in MLS. He's currently tied with Crew forward Kei Kamara at 22 goals, but the Sierra Leonean striker is suspended for the final game of the season due to yellow card accumulation.  

Giovinco holds the tiebreaker with 15 assists and a three goal advantage over Los Angeles Galaxy forward Robbie Keane, the next closest competitor.
 

MLS Golden Boot race standings

Name Team Goals Assists
Sebastian Giovinco Toronto 22 15
Kei Kamara Columbus 22 8
Robbie Keane Los Angeles 19 8
David Villa NYCFC 17 8
Cyle Larin Orlando 17 0

Altidore has been impressed with his Italian teammate both on and off the field.

“He’s terrific and you also learn from him as well, he’s a guy that has been part of a lot of big moments,” he explained. “He’s shown this season that he’s a special player and he keeps getting better.  

"What makes it even more wild is that he’s an even better guy off the field and everybody enjoys his company.”

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It's also possible that Toronto FC's regular season finale is a first-round playoff preview. If the teams end up in fourth and fifth place, Toronto FC and the Impact would meet again Wednesday or Thursday night in a one-game knockout match.  

Even though he’s only been on the team for one season, Altidore knows how important success in this matchup is to both the team and its fans.

“Whenever you move to a club you inherit those rivalries, so for me and for everyone on the team the Montreal game is huge for the supporters and we know we have to give that much more for them.”