Toronto, ON (My Sportsbook) - The 2009 Major League Soccer playoffs start early for real Salt Lake at Toronto FC.

When the two inter-conference foes square off on Saturday in a league fixture, the winner's playoff hopes will still be alive, while the loser will more than likely be booking vacation plans.

RSL (10-11-7) is actually coming off a mid-week 2-0 win over New York that kept its slim hopes alive.

"It means we're still alive and we can live to fight another day," RSL coach Jason Kreis said after the win.

With the teams battling to a stalemate through most of Wednesday's game, second-half sub Andy Williams got the game winner with 10 minutes to go before Fabian Espindola gave RSL the insurance goal it needed in the 90th minute.

"He did exactly what was asked," Kreis said of Williams. "I felt we were playing really well up until that point, but we needed a little extra spark and Andy Williams was exactly what we needed. It's fantastic for me to see Andy coming in and being a factor in that match, playing so well and scoring the winning goal."

Now RSL turns its sights on another Eastern Conference club on Saturday.

"We're pretty confident. It's going to be a tough game because they're in the same spot as us, needing a win, but the pressure is on them playing at home," Williams said.

TFC (9-10-9) is coming off a 1-1 draw vs. San Jose this past Saturday that put it in do-or-die territory. The last-placed 'Quakes scored a late goal to earn a share of the points, dropping the Reds into a tie for fourth place in the East, two points out of the final playoff spot.

"I'm fuming with the goal, and I sensed it coming," TFC coach Chris Cummins said. "We dropped deep and we got sloppy and people dropped out of position - we've had a go. The fans did their part - you know we asked them to do their part and they did their part. Again we haven't turned up for the last few minutes and we spoiled what would have been a decent performance. I'm fuming to be honest with you."

Toronto will be playing on Saturday without midfielder Carl Robinson, while defender Marvell Wynne is questionable, and defender Adrian Serioux and forward Pablo Vitti are probable with injuries.

RSL's only injuries are to Espindola and Robbie Russell, who are both probable.