Toronto FC clinches playoff berth with thrilling comeback vs. Red Bulls

Jozy Altidore was the star performer in a dramatic comeback for Toronto FC, which clinched a berth in the MLS postseason Sunday with a 3-3 draw against Eastern Conference foe New York Red Bulls.

Altidore's two goals in the second half - including an outrageous free-kick that would make Sebastian Giovinco proud - erased a 3-1 deficit and booked TFC a playoff spot for a second time in franchise history.

Related - Watch: Toronto FC's Altidore unleashes free-kick in wild Red Bulls affair

With five games remaining in the regular season, the Reds are the first team in MLS to qualify for playoffs.

They will now look to consolidate first place in the Eastern Conference. Currently a point ahead of the Red Bulls with 46, Toronto still has home-field advantage to play for.

Sunday's match was anything but a sure thing. An own goal from Steven Beitashour in the 12th minute marked an ominous start for the home side. Bradley Wright-Phillips doubled the lead with a cheeky chip over goalkeeper Alex Bono just after the half-hour point.

TFC captain Michael Bradley pulled his team back into the contest before the interval, joining a late rush that eventually yielded the 29-year-old's first club goal in a year.

Related - Watch: Toronto FC's Bradley finds bottom corner to end goal drought

Wright-Phillips quickly restored New York's two-goal advantage in the 48th minute with his 20th tally of the season.

But Altidore stepped up in Giovinco's place to deliver the goods.

Taking over free-kick duties from the injured Italian striker, Altidore launched a rocket of a set-piece that once again put Toronto within touching distance of a vital point.

And in the dying minutes, the U.S. international made sure his team would get it.

Altidore picked up a pass from Bradley and pushed the ball past towering defender Aurelien Collin before slotting in the crucial equaliser.

Altidore now has eight goals and one assist in his past nine matches for TFC.