"We're making the playoffs," Toronto FC coach Aron Winter said.

The proclamation comes from a coach whose team has lost its first six matches of the MLS season, has been outscored 13-4, and is one loss away from tying the league record for the worst start to a season (Kansas City went 0-7 in 1999.)

But the Dutchman insists TFC will end its playoff drought after five years and is confident that MLSE, the club’s owners, will give him enough time to see out his three-year plan. “I’ve got the support from (MLSE) and I always believe in my vision. ...We’re going to make the playoffs,” Winter said.

Notes John Molinaro: No team in MLS history has ever qualified for the playoffs after losing six in a row to start the season. And it doesn’t get any easier for the Reds, who travel to Utah for Saturday’s match against Real Salt Lake, a team with 15 points this season.