New York Red Bulls home in on MLS playoffs

New York Red Bulls have taken a giant step toward qualifying for the MLS playoffs by beating Toronto 3-1 at the New York Arena this morning.

First-half goals from Bradley Wright-Phillips, Ruben Bover and Dax McCarty effectively sealed the New York's place in the top five of the Eastern Conference.

Jonathan Osorio pulled one back for Toronto early in the second half, but it proved little more than a consolation as the Red Bulls outfit all but secured their playoff berth.

Anything but victory for Houston Dynamo in tonight's home clash with already-qualified DC United will see Mike Petke's side - currently seven points clear of sixth place - solidify their place in the knockouts.

The hosts started the brighter and hit the front on 26 minutes, as former Manchester City striker Wright-Phillips netted his 25th goal of the season.

Two goals in the final 10 minutes of the first half crushed the Canadian outfit, who saw Bover add a second in soft fashion before McCarty struck a third moments before the break.

Toronto threw themselves a glimmer of hope when Osorio tapped home a Jonathan Morrow cross on 55 minutes to reduce the gap to two.

The visitors have Joe Bendik to thank for preserving that two-goal deficit, as the goalkeeper pulled off a smart save on 65 minutes to deny Wright-Phillips his second.

Petke and company struggled to find the killer blow, but Nick Hagglund's straight red card late on ended any hopes of an unlikely comeback and the hosts held on for the win.