Eastern Conference: Why Buffer Teams Will (or Won’t) Make the Playoffs

Why they’ll make it to the playoffs: Because Italians still know how to turn it on

Toronto FC’s problem this season has been consistency, not quality.

While Federico Bernardeschi’s stats aren’t what you’d expect from a player of his ability, John Herdman’s decision to field him as a right-back has changed his role in attack. Lorenzo Insigne hasn’t been consistently fit since arriving from the other side of the Atlantic, but when he’s fit and motivated? You better believe opposing defences are scared.

You can’t write Toronto off.

Why they won’t make it to the playoffs: Because their team needs more

As fun and scary as the Italians can be, this TFC team needs more rotation. Realistically, this team needs at least one more starter on each outfield line before they can really push for contender status. They have the fourth-worst expected goal differential, according to FBref, in the East, and for good reason.