Technically speaking it’s not a must-win game.

Toronto FC can’t be officially eliminated from playoff contention with a road loss to the New York Red Bulls this weekend.

But who’s kidding who? TFC’s post-season hopes are hanging by the thinnest of threads, and they can ill-afford another loss.

Here’s what you need to know about Saturday evening’s contest at Red Bull Arena.

THE PLAYOFF PICTURE

While the Red Bulls have already clinched a post-season berth – they’re also second in the Supporters’ Shield race – Toronto is on the outside looking in when it comes to the playoff picture.

TFC (8-14-6) currently sits ninth in the Eastern Conference standings, nine points and three spots behind the Montreal Impact who hold down the sixth and final playoff berth in the East.

Toronto does have a game in hand on the Impact, and they still have to go to Montreal next month. But with only six games remaining in the season, and with D.C. United and the New England Revolution also ahead of the Reds in the standings, they’ll have to run the table just to have a chance at the playoffs, and even that might not be enough.

“Only three points will do it for us at this point,” forward Jozy Altidore told reporters this week.

Defender Eriq Zavaleta added: “Right now, our goal is to win every game that’s in front of us. If we can do that, we can at least hold our head high and say we gave everything we had. We’re certainly not giving up any time soon.”

TFC is doing a lot of out-of-town scoreboard watching at the moment. Ultimately, though, they’re fully aware there is no room for error and that they have to take care of their business.

“Our future lies in our ability to be successful in each game we go out. That’s the priority but you still take notice [of other results] because we do need things to happen to get back into it,” coach Greg Vanney said this week.

“It’s incumbent upon us to get the results that we need along the way to even have a chance.”

INJURIES

Look for Vanney to insert Victor Vazquez into the starting lineup after resting him in Wednesday’s 3-1 loss to Mexican side Tigres in the Campeones Cup. Vazquez remains one of Toronto’s most influential players, even though he’s missed a lot of time this season due to injuries.

Forward Sebastian Giovinco (calf) and defender Drew Moor (calf) are questionable for Saturday, but defender Chris Mavinga could return following a lengthy layoff due to a hamstring injury.

PLAYER TO WATCH: BRADLEY WRIGHT-PHILLIPS

New York is winless in its last two games, and is coming off of a thrilling 3-3 draw away to D.C. United last weekend in which Bradley Wright-Phillips scored three times.

It was the fifth career hat trick for the English forward. At 105 career MLS goals, he needs just one more to become the first player in league history to record three 20-goal seasons.

“Bradley Wright-Phillips is playing phenomenal; he’s playing as good as anybody in the league right now,” Vanney offered.

TFC vs. NEW YORK: A HISTORY

New York leads the all-time regular-season series between the two clubs, with 14 wins and seven draws in 29 meetings.

Toronto has enjoyed little success at Red Bull Arena. They’ve only won twice in 22 visits (with 10 losses). They earned a 1-1 draw in their last regular-season visit on May, 19, 2017.

These sides meant once before this season, with the Red Bulls earning a 1-0 win at BMO Field on Canada Day.

Toronto and New York also clashed in last year’s Eastern Conference semifinals when TFC won the series 3-1 on aggregate, which included a 2-1 win at Red Bull Arena.

WHAT’S NEXT?

After the New York game, Toronto returns home to host the New England Revolution next Saturday at BMO Field.