Luka Gavran scores stoppage-time equalizer as Toronto FC salvage draw in wild MLS night

Toronto FC goalkeeper Luka Gavran delivered one of the most improbable moments in club and league history, scoring a stoppage-time equalizer to secure a 3-3 draw against the Philadelphia Union on Wednesday night at BMO Field.

In a match that swung repeatedly, Gavran’s 96th-minute goal capped a chaotic finish and ensured Toronto extended its unbeaten run to seven matches. The result also pushed the club’s home streak to 13 consecutive games without defeat.

Philadelphia appeared set to leave with all three points after Nathan Harriel restored their lead in the 89th minute, making it 3-2. But with one final opportunity from a late free kick, Toronto sent its goalkeeper forward in desperation.

The decision changed everything. Gavran surged into the box as Alonso Coello delivered the cross. Rising above defenders, the 25-year-old made contact with a looping effort that glanced off his head and shoulder before dropping into the net, beating Union goalkeeper Andre Blake.

“I looked at the time and thought it was probably the last play,” Gavran said postgame. “I saw the bench telling me to go, and once the ball came back out, I just tried to get into the box. I think I’m the biggest target there, so I jumped and it went in. That’s all that matters.”

The goal marked Gavran’s first for Toronto FC and made him the first goalkeeper in club history to score. He also became just the third goalkeeper to find the net in Major League Soccer history, and the first since 2010.

The dramatic finish completed a match that had already featured multiple shifts in momentum.

Philadelphia opened the scoring early in the second half through Paxten Aaronson before Keegan Rosenberry doubled the lead minutes later. Toronto responded through Josh Sargent and Kobe Franklin, who both found the net to bring the hosts level.

Franklin’s goal continued a strong run of form, as he scored in consecutive matches for the first time in his MLS career. Sargent, meanwhile, added to his growing impact since joining the club, while Dániel Sallói contributed an assist, bringing his total to five goal contributions since arriving in February.

Despite Toronto’s push, Harriel’s late strike seemed decisive. The Union, the defending Supporters’ Shield winners, had weathered the comeback and regained control at a critical moment.

Luka Gavran scores stoppage-time equalizer as Toronto FC salvage draw in wild MLS night

Gavran ensured that would not be the final word. “I didn’t even hit it clean,” Gavran admitted. “I think it came off my shoulder, and that’s what threw everyone off. When I saw it going in, I couldn’t believe it.”

Beyond the individual moment, the goal reinforced a pattern that has defined Toronto’s recent stretch. The club has now collected 13 points since March 8, consistently finding ways to recover from difficult positions.

Gavran pointed to that resilience as a key takeaway from the result. “That just shows there’s no quit in this team,” he said. “We still need to manage games better, but to get something from that situation says a lot about the group.”

The match was part of a wider slate of high-scoring games across MLS, with multiple fixtures ending in 4-4 draws. But none matched the late drama at BMO Field, where a goalkeeper’s intervention altered the outcome in the final seconds.

Toronto’s attacking contributions were also notable. José Cifuentes recorded two assists in a single match for the first time with the club, while Deandre Kerr reached his 100th MLS appearance.

Still, the night belonged to Gavran. Goalkeepers scoring remains one of the rarest occurrences in the sport, typically reserved for desperate late-game situations. Even then, it rarely produces a tangible result.

On this occasion, it did. Toronto now turns its attention to its next home fixture, carrying momentum from a performance that highlighted both its attacking potential and its ability to respond under pressure.

For Gavran, the moment was difficult to process immediately after the final whistle.

“I don’t even know what to do,” he said. “But it’s something we’ll remember for a long time.”