Jermain Defoe off target as Toronto FC's playoff hopes fade after 1-0 loss to Houston Dynamo

If Toronto FC is going to have any chance at making the playoffs this season, they're going to need Jermain Defoe to find form and quick.

A missed penalty by Defoe symbolized TFC's performance Wednesday night as they slumped to a 1-0 loss at home against Houston and remain on the wrong side of the Eastern Conference playoff picture. In the end Giles Barnes' goal in the 35th minute was all Houston needed to escape with the three points.

TFC fired 26 shots towards goal but none found the back of the net. Defoe, making his first start since August 23 after returning from injury as a second half substitute in last Saturday's 3-0 loss to Los Angeles, had a handful of chances from open play in the first half but couldn't put one in. He was also called offside three times in the first 45 minutes.

In the 55th minute Luke Moore was taken down in the box and rewarded with a penalty. It looked like Defoe would finally get his goal when stepped up to the spot but his shot was pushed aside by Dynamo keeper Tyler Deric.

"He has to get sharp; we all know he hasn’t played a lot of games lately," said Toronto FC head coach Greg Vanney.

Defender A.J. Cochran was sent off for his foul on Moore, forcing Houston to play the rest of the game with 10-men and even then the Reds could not take advantage. Overall it was another frustrating effort going forward.

TFC keeper Joe Bendik was called upon early to make a few big saves, keeping his team in the game.

The loss leaves Toronto with 40 points, three points back of a playoff spot with three games left to play. They visit the New York Red Bulls, currently fourth in the East with 44 points, on Saturday.