Toronto FC goalkeeper Luka Gavran and midfielder José Cifuentes have been named to the MLS Team of the Matchday (bench) for Matchday 9 following their standout performances in the Reds’ dramatic 3-3 draw against Philadelphia Union at BMO Field.
Trailing by two shortly after the restart, TFC sparked their comeback through a slick move involving José Cifuentes, Dániel Sallói and Josh Sargent, with Sargent beating his marker and drilling a left-footed strike past Philadelphia’s Andre Blake to make it 2-1.
The hosts drew level eight minutes later as Cifuentes slipped an incisive pass into the box for Kobe Franklin, who powered his effort in off the far post.
Cifuentes recorded his first multi-assist performance for TFC, setting up the Reds’ first two goals, before Nathan Harriel’s 89th minute header restored a 3-2 lead for Philadelphia.
With time running out, Toronto FC goalkeeper Gavran pushed forward to join the attack on a late set-piece in the final minute of stoppage time. After narrowly missing a connection on the first cross, the towering shot-stopper recycled his run effectively before nodding home Alonso Coello’s dangerous delivery off his head and shoulder.
The equalizer marked Gavran’s first professional goal, making him the first goalkeeper in club history to score for Toronto FC. With the 96th minute effort, Gavran became only the third goalkeeper in Major League Soccer history to score a goal and the first since Columbus Crew’s William Hesmer on October 16, 2010.
The Hamilton, Ontario native, who also recorded his first assist for TFC last month against Red Bull New York on March 14, also added important second-half saves to deny Philadelphia’s Bruno Damiani and Japhet Sery Larsen, helping secure a point and extend the club’s unbeaten run to seven matches.
The honour marks the first MLS Team of the Matchday selections for both Luka Gavran and José Cifuentes with Toronto FC. In total, Toronto FC have now earned five MLS Team of the Matchday selections during the 2026 MLS regular season – José Cifuentes (1), Luka Gavran (1), Richie Laryea (1), Josh Sargent (1), Walker Zimmerman (1).
MLS Team of the Matchday – Matchday 9:
F: Tai Baribo (DC), Nicolás Fernández Mercau (NYC), Preston Judd (SJ)
M: Martín Ojeda (ORL), Rodrigo De Paul (MIA), Ronald Donkor (RBNY), Jorge Ruvalcaba (RBNY)
D: Anthony Markanich (MIN), Mamadou Fofana (NE), Paul Marie (SJ)
GK: Matt Turner (NE)
Coach: Guillermo Hoyos (MIA)
Bench: Luka Gavran (TOR), Lucas Herrington (COL), Taha Habroune (CLB), José Cifuentes (TOR), Luis Otávio (ORL), Aliyu Ibrahim (HOU), Agustín Ojeda (NYC), Kévin Denkey (CIN), Timo Werner (SJ)