Toronto FC midfielder Alonso Coello has been named to the MLS Team of the Matchday for Matchday 21, as a substitute, after a commanding performance in the club’s 3-0 victory over the Portland Timbers at BMO Field.

Making his 11th start and 17th appearance of the 2025 MLS season, Alonso Coello was instrumental in the middle of the park, delivering a high-impact, tempo-setting performance that proved crucial to the Reds’ win. Following a bright start in front of the home faithful, the Spanish midfielder gave his side the lead with a low, powerful free-kick that curled past an outstretched James Pantemis in the Portland goal.

The 11th minute set-piece marked the former TFC II captain’s first goal of the 2025 season and the first direct free-kick goal of his Toronto FC career.

Coello also played a key role in the Reds’ second and third goals during the second half on Saturday. First, his out-swinging corner was met by headers from Kosi Thompson and Ola Brynhildsen before Tyrese Spicer acrobatically slammed home from close-range. In the closing stages, Coello released substitute Derrick Etienne Jr. into space,whose tidy footwork down the left wing led to an own goal by Portland’s Ian Smith.

At the full-time whistle, Alonso Coello was honoured with the Man of the Match trophy following a tempo-dictating performance from the midfield maestro. His outing featured a team-leading 43 passes, nine corner kicks, four key passes and three crosses, capped off by an emphatic direct-free kick goal, the club’s first in MLS play since October 2021.

The honour marks Coello’s second MLS Team of the Matchday selection since joining Toronto FC in April 2023. In total, Toronto FC have now earned nine MLS Team of the Matchday selections during the 2025 MLS regular season – Sean Johnson (3), Federico Bernardeschi (2), Ola Brynhildsen (1), Theo Corbeanu (1), Alonso Coello (1) and Lorenzo Insigne (1).

MLSsoccer.com’s Team of the Matchday – Matchday 21:

F: Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting (RBNY), Jesús Ferreira (SEA), Rafael Navarro (COL)

M: Anders Dreyer (SD), Carles Gil (NE), Evander (CIN), Philip Zinckernagel (CHI)

D: Felipe Andrade (HOU), Kyle Duncan (RBNY), Mohamed Farsi (CLB)

GK: Daniel (SJ)

Coach: Pat Noonan (CIN)

Bench: John Pulskamp (SKC), Matt Miazga (CIN), Alonso Coello (TOR), Victor Loturi (MTL), Pep Biel (CLT), Erik Thommy (SKC), Marco Reus (LA), Emmanuel Sabbi (VAN), Darren Yapi (COL)