The situation isn’t nearly as dire this time, but the Reds once again will travel to Montreal in two weeks desperate for a late-season result after wasting a four-game homestead.

A 2-1 setback to visiting D.C. United Saturday night saw Toronto FC drop to third place in the Eastern Conference following weekend wins by Red Bulls and New York City.

That leaves the Reds winless (0-1-3) in four games and trending — as far as results are concerned — in the wrong direction at the most important time of year.

Asked if his team “squandered” a favourable schedule to wrap the regular season, TFC head coach Greg Vanney seemed to agree, acknowledging that the Supporters’ Shield is out of reach.

“We’ve got to be perfect now and get a little help (to win the Eastern Conference),” Vanney said. “In that way, yes (it was squandered).”

That sets up a near-must-win at Saputo Stadium on Oct. 16 if the Reds are to claim a top two spot — and first-round playoff bye — in the East.

Toronto FC travelled to Quebec last October needing a win to avoid a difficult first-round postseason matchup. The Reds fell 2-1 in Montreal before returning four days later for their first ever playoff appearance — a 3-0 loss.

The Reds already have locked up a home playoff date this time around but face the unnerving task of once again appearing in an Eastern Conference play-in game if they fail to collect three points in Montreal.

“It should be motivating,” Vanney said of heading back to Montreal under similar conditions. “We have two games to tighten up details.

“They’re important results. We’re going to play (the final two regular-season games) like they’re playoffs games. We’re going to scratch, claw and bite.”

And work on finishing, apparently.

Vanney lamented the number of chances that went begging throughout Saturday night’s loss. The Reds outshot United 15-6, but couldn’t find an insurance goal after Jozy Altidore opened the scoring in the 36th minute.

Altidore latched on to a through-ball from Armando Cooper before fighting off Steve Birnbaum and rounding DC ’keeper Bill Hamid to score a goal that appeared to put TFC back on track following three consecutive draws.

But the Reds conceded a corner three minutes later that was cleared only as far as the top of the penalty area. DC’s Lloyd Sam put in a second cross that fell to Birnbaum, whose rebound sat up for Lamar Neagle to put back from close range.

Vanney called the entire sequence “ridiculous.”

“It turns into a corner kick because we tried to back-heel a ball,” Vanney explained. “That leads to a turnover which leads to a corner kick which leads to a mess.”

United found a game-winner on its only second-half attempt — a sequence Vanney said he saw coming well before Neagle scored his second of the game.

Again it was Sam just before the hour mark who picked up possession near midfield and clipped a ball in behind TFC’s far-too-high and flat defence.

The DC striker took a touch into the area before putting his effort high and over Clint Irwin’s shoulder to win the game.

“I think this little stretch can be humbling and show us some things we need to clean up,” Vanney said. “We’ve had humbling losses over this year and we’ve responded.

“I get disappointed and angry the same as the team. I believe our guys put in a ton of work. I don’t ever question their desire and work rate to get a result. It’s a disappointment.”

Sebastian Giovinco (quadriceps) was held out for a fifth straight game but is expected to be in the lineup when the Reds head to Montreal in two weeks.

“That’s the plan,” Vanney said. “He was very close (to returning) tonight. If something happened you’d be beating yourself down for the rest of your life.”

Toronto FC supporters are concerned as it is.

NOISE RETURNS TO BMO FIELD

The atmosphere is back at BMO Field following a three-match, Inebriatti-led supporters’ protest.

Supporters groups banded together in a silent protest midweek to show their solidarity after Toronto FC’s front office levied sanctions against supporters stemming from the infamous oral sex banner that was displayed during last month’s Montreal game.

Both head coach Greg Vanney and captain Michael Bradley pleaded for a solution to restore the energy that was noticeably lacking during Wednesday night’s draw with Orlando City.

An agreement was reached in the hours before Saturday night’s game.

“This is not the end of the issue but collaborative work has begun on finding a fair and equitable solution,” Inebriatti posted to its Facebook page on behalf of the south terrace.

“We stand together as supporters for this team and for each other. Now it is time for the news stories and attention in general to be turned back to where it belongs: The players who wear our crest.

“Let’s get back to business, we have championships to win.”

At issue is Toronto FC’s attempt to get supporters to sign a Code of Conduct agreement allowing them to levy sanctions against entire groups if any member breaches stadium rules.