Toronto FC (1W-2L-0T, 3 points) recorded their first victory of the 2026 MLS season with an impressive 1-0 road win against FC Cincinnati (1W-2L-0T, 3 points) in their Sunday Night Soccer clash at TQL Stadium, courtesy of Dániel Sallói’s late game-winner in Cincinnati, Ohio.
TFC Head Coach Robin Fraser made four changes from last weekend’s starting eleven against Vancouver Whitecaps FC. Zane Monlouis, Benjamín Kuscevic, Raheem Edwards and Emilio Aristizábal came into the side for Kobe Franklin, Kosi Thompson, Alonso Coello and Derrick Etienne Jr., with Monlouis and Edwards making their first starts of the 2026 MLS season.
Toronto FC enjoyed a positive and free-flowing opening half, with the first clear chance arriving in the 29th minute in Ohio. On the play, Djordje Mihailovic slipped a pass through to Aristizábal, whose side-footed effort was saved low by Cincinnati goalkeeper Roman Celentano, before Mihailovic’s powerful follow-up volley flashed inches wide of the post moments later.
Emilio Aristizábal and Richie Laryea each forced Celentano into important saves in the closing stages of the half before the two Eastern Conference clubs entered the break level at 0-0.
With both sides pushing to break the deadlock, Toronto goalkeeper Luka Gavran produced an outstanding save in the 67th minute to deny Pavel Bucha, tipping the midfielder’s long-range effort away from the top corner.
Six minutes later, TFC were forced into a concussion substitution as Walker Zimmerman was replaced by Lazar Stefanovic in defence, while Deandre Kerr entered the match for his first appearance of the campaign in place of Emilio Aristizábal.
Toronto FC’s sustained pressure throughout the Sunday evening contest was rewarded late when Dániel Sallói latched onto Richie Laryea’s perfectly threaded through ball and calmly finished beyond Roman Celentano to hand the Reds a late lead.
The 86th minute strike marked the Hungarian winger’s first goal for Toronto FC, while Laryea recorded his first assist of the 2026 MLS season.
FC Cincinnati pushed for a late equalizer in front of their home supporters but fell short as the Reds’ defence remained resolute to secure all three points on the road. Sallói’s late winner, TFC’s first-ever goal at TQL Stadium, ultimately proved decisive in earning the Reds their first victory at TQL Stadium in club history and first win of the 2026 MLS season.
Up next, the Reds welcome Red Bull New York, led by former TFC captain Michael Bradley, for their 2026 MLS Home Opener on Saturday, March 14. Kick-off from BMO Field in Toronto, Ontario is set for 1:00 p.m. ET and will be broadcast globally on Apple TV and on TSN 1/3 in Canada.
LINEUPS
FC CINCINNATI – Roman Celentano; Nick Hagglund (Kyle Smith 87’), Miles Robinson (C), Gilberto Flores, (Teenage Hadebe 86’); Ender Echenique (Evander 74’), Pavel Bucha, Gerardo Valenzuela (Samuel Gidi 63’), Obinna Nwobodo, Bryan Ramírez (Kenji Mboma Dem 90’); Tom Barlow (Ayoub Jabbari 63’), Kevin Denkey
Substitutes Not Used: Evan Louro, Alvas Powell, Brian Anunga
TORONTO FC – Luka Gavran; Zane Monlouis, Walker Zimmerman (Lazar Stefanovic 73’), Benjamín Kuscevic; Richie Laryea, José Cifuentes, Jonathan Osorio (C), Raheem Edwards (Derrick Etienne Jr. 65’); Djordje Mihailovic (Alonso Coello 90+1), Dániel Sallói, Emilio Aristizábal (Deandre Kerr 73’)
Substitutes Not Used: William Yarbrough, Kosi Thompson, Kobe Franklin, Markus Cimermancic, Malik Henry
MEDIA NOTES
- Toronto FC recorded their first victory of the 2026 Major League Soccer season.
- The win marked the Reds’ first-ever victory at TQL Stadium in Cincinnati, Ohio.
- Dániel Sallói scored his 60th MLS career goal and his first goal for Toronto FC since joining the club on February 20, 2026.
- Sallói’s 86th minute game-winning goal also marked the Reds’ first-ever goal scored at TQL Stadium.
- Richie Laryea recorded his first assist of the 2026 MLS season.
- Benjamín Kuscevic made his club debut and first start for Toronto FC.
- Emilio Aristizábal started his first match for TFC.
- Luka Gavran recorded his fifth clean sheet for the Reds and the club’s first of the 2026 MLS season.
