Josh Sargent’s late winner keeps Toronto FC’s playoff hopes alive
Toronto FC secured a crucial 2-1 comeback victory over D.C. United, keeping its playoffs hopes alive. Josh Sargent scored the winner in the 86th minute after Jonathan Osorio’s equalizer, marking his 70th career goal. The win extended Toronto’s unbeaten home run to eight matches and brought them to 39 points this season.
Photo: Valeria Veyna / VM Sports
Toronto FC kept its MLS playoff hopes alive Wednesday night with a 2-1 comeback victory over D.C. United at BMO Field, as Josh Sargent scored in the 86th minute after helping set up Jonathan Osorio’s second-half equalizer.
The result moved Toronto to 39 points with a 9-11-12 record and extended its unbeaten home run to eight matches since the FIFA World Cup break. For a team facing little margin for error in the final weeks of the regular season, the three points were essential.
Sargent was involved in both goals, but the victory also marked a significant milestone for Osorio, whose 64th-minute equalizer made him just the third player in club history to reach 70 goals.
Toronto FC overturns first-half deficit
D.C. United took the lead in the 29th minute through Andre Dozzell, with Silvan Hefti and Matti Peltola credited with assists. Toronto struggled to establish possession in dangerous areas during the opening half, leaving Sargent isolated and limiting its opportunities in attack.
Head coach Robin Fraser acknowledged that his side had difficulty building moves from the back, but the team’s approach improved after the interval.
“There wasn’t a whole lot of structural changes,” Fraser said. “It was just really a couple of different thoughts we talked about at halftime.”
Toronto began finding ways through D.C.’s defensive lines, allowing its attacking players to become more involved.
The breakthrough arrived in the 64th minute when Sargent’s effort was redirected into the net off Osorio, bringing the home side level. The goal initially raised an offside concern, but it stood, giving Toronto the opportunity to pursue a winner.
Osorio later explained that he had positioned himself near the goalkeeper in anticipation of a loose ball and that Sargent’s attempt struck his back before crossing the line.
With four minutes remaining in regulation, Toronto completed the turnaround.
A move involving Matheus Pereira and Theo Corbeanu ended with Corbeanu’s shot striking the post. Sargent reacted to the rebound and finished to give the Reds a 2-1 advantage.
The American forward, who had struggled for service earlier in the match, ultimately decided the contest with his movement and composure inside the penalty area.
Fraser praised Sargent’s consistency, emphasizing that his contribution to the team extends beyond goals: “He still works relentlessly for the team, whether he’s scoring or not,” the Toronto coach said.
Jonathan Osorio reaches another Toronto FC milestone
Osorio’s equalizer carried significance beyond the result.
The Toronto captain became the third player in franchise history to score 70 goals, joining Sebastian Giovinco and Jozy Altidore.
He also extended a remarkable record by scoring in his 14th consecutive MLS season, having registered at least one goal in every campaign since joining Toronto in 2013.
Osorio is the first active player and seventh in league history to score across at least 14 seasons, joining a group that includes Dwayne De Rosario, Landon Donovan and Jaime Moreno.
Despite the achievement, the midfielder remained focused on Toronto’s postseason ambitions.
“It’s great, 14 seasons, you know, playing and being able to contribute for this club that I love,” Osorio said. “But right now my focus is just helping this team get into the playoffs.”
His performance also reflected Toronto’s improvement after halftime. The captain acknowledged that misplaced passes and an inability to maintain momentum had made the opening 45 minutes frustrating, but the team responded with greater confidence in possession.
Toronto FC remains unbeaten at BMO Field
Wednesday’s victory extended Toronto’s unbeaten streak at BMO Field to eight matches, with four wins and four draws dating back to August 15. The Reds have now collected 39 points, while D.C. United remains on 33 with a 7-13-12 record.
Although Toronto’s playoff chances remain slim and depend partly on results elsewhere, the victory ensured that its postseason hopes survived another matchday.
Fraser stressed the importance of securing three points in the club’s final regular-season home appearance, particularly after a campaign disrupted by injuries and inconsistent performances.
The coach also identified Toronto’s slow starts as an issue that still needs attention. Against D.C., the team required another second-half response to overcome an early deficit, a pattern Fraser wants to address.
Toronto will now turn its attention to Sunday’s match, knowing that another victory is necessary to maintain pressure in the playoff race.
For Sargent and Osorio, Wednesday provided two decisive contributions at a critical stage of the season. For Toronto FC, it was a result that kept its campaign moving forward.
