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MLS Preview: Toronto out to close gap at top

Ryan Nelsen's men are fourth in the East after 12 games, five points adrift of pacesetters Sporting Kansas City and DC United - though the club have played four games less than the top two.

Toronto will have the chance to close the gap when they travel to Chicago Fire - bottom in the East - on Wednesday, before hosting high-flying DC United in a blockbuster match at BMO Field on Saturday.

First on the agenda is Toronto's midweek clash with the Fire, who will also be in action against Sporting on Sunday, and coach Nelson said his team are full of confidence after Friday's entertaining 2-2 draw at New York Red Bulls.

"In a league of parity, any points away from home are very valuable," Nelsen said.

"It keeps our record against Eastern Conference teams very good and now we have to go to Chicago away, we can go to Chicago full of confidence looking to win there."

Key to Toronto's hopes is England international Jermain Defoe, who has scored four goals in as many games - including a brace against Columbus Crew at the start of June.

Chivas will go head-to-head against fellow strugglers San Jose Earthquakes, ahead of the weekend's showdown with the East's second-bottom club Montreal Impact.

In other fixtures, West's table-topping Seattle Sounders travel to Vancouver to play the Whitecaps on Saturday.