Toronto FC (4W-7L-9T, 21 points) battled to a dramatic 3-3 draw against Charlotte FC (8W-7L-5T, 29 points) on Wednesday evening, courtesy of goals from Markus Cimermancic, Dániel Sallói and Niklas Dorsch at BMO Field.
Toronto FC Head Coach Robin Fraser made a single change from his side that started in the 2-1 win over New England Revolution four nights ago with Djordje Mihailovic missing out due to a red card suspension and Alonso Coello starting in his place.
The two Eastern Conference clubs traded goals during an action-packed opening 20 minutes by the lakeshore. Charlotte FC opened the scoring when Ashley Westwood found Rodolfo Aloko, who powered his finish past Toronto FC goalkeeper Luka Gavran to give the Crown an early lead in the eighth minute.
The Reds responded six minutes later when Josh Sargent picked up the ball from Richie Laryea in his own half and went on a driving run before laying the ball off to Markus Cimermancic just outside the box. The Homegrown midfielder unleashed a powerful, first-time low strike from distance, finding the bottom corner beyond Charlotte goalkeeper Kristijan Kahlina to level the score.
The 14th minute equalizer marked Cimermancic’s first goal for TFC, while Sargent and Laryea each recorded their fifth goal contribution of the 2026 MLS season.
Charlotte restored the advantage six minutes later when Idan Toklomati fired home a rebound from close- range after Gavran produced an incredible diving stop to deny Liel Abada from point-blank range.
The hosts were reduced to 10 men shortly after the restart when Walker Zimmerman was shown a straight red card for a foul on Idan Toklomati in the 56th minute.
Charlotte FC extended their lead from the ensuing free kick, with Henry Kessler rising to head home Ashley Westwood’s set-piece delivery.
Matheus Pereira, who underwent surgery earlier this season in April, made his long-awaited return from injury in the 60th minute, replacing Alonso Coello.
Seeking a comeback, the Reds pulled one back when Dániel Sallói guided home Theo Corbeanu’s low cross to make it 3-2.
The 77th minute effort marked Sallói’s team-leading 11th goal contribution and fifth goal of the season, while Corbeanu recorded his first assist of the campaign.
Toronto FC drew level in dramatic fashion in the closing stages of the midweek matchup when Niklas Dorsch’s delivery into the box evaded everyone, including goalkeeper Kristijan Kahlina, on its way into the net.
The 90th minute equalizer marked the German midfielder’s second goal in as many games, while Etienne Jr. recorded his fifth assist for the Reds.
TFC pushed for a dramatic late winner and came agonizingly close in stoppage time, with a swift counter-attack leading to a chance for Theo Corbeanu that was denied by an important save from Kahlina, as the two sides settled for a point apiece in a thrilling 3-3 draw.
Toronto FC hit the road next to face reigning MLS Cup champions Inter Miami CF on Saturday, August 22. Kick-off from Nu Stadium in Miami, Florida is set for 7:30 p.m. ET and will be broadcast globally in English and Spanish on Apple TV.
LINEUPS
TORONTO FC – Luka Gavran; Richie Laryea, Walker Zimmerman (C), Benjamín Kuscevic (Zane Monlouis 82’), Jackson Gilman; Alonso Coello (Matheus Pereira 60’), Niklas Dorsch (Kobe Franklin 90+5’), Theo Corbeanu, Markus Cimermancic (Derrick Etienne Jr. 82’), Dániel Sallói; Josh Sargent
Substitutes Not Used: William Yarbrough, Raheem Edwards, Malik Henry, Emilio Aristizáball, Jules-Anthony Vilsaint
CHARLOTTE FC – Kristijan Kahlina; Will Cleary, Henry Kessler, Tim Ream, David Schnegg; Ashley Westwood (C), Pep Biel (Luca De La Torre 79’), Brandt Bronico (Djibril Diani 90+4’); Rodolfo Aloko (Tyger Smalls 69’), Liel Abada (Allan Saint-Maximin 69’), Idan Toklomati (Archie Goodwin 79’)
Substitutes Not Used: Tyler Miller, Andrew Privett, Nathan Byrne, Morrison
MEDIA NOTES
- Markus Cimermancic scored his first goal for Toronto FC, becoming the eighth different player to open his account for the Reds during the 2026 Major League Soccer season.
- Cimermancic recorded two goal contributions (one goal, one assist) in a single match for the first time with TFC.
- Dániel Sallói scored his team-leading fifth goal of the 2026 MLS campaign.
- Niklas Dorsch has now scored in consecutive MLS matches for the first time in his Toronto FC career.
- Josh Sargent and Richie Laryea recorded their fifth goal contributions of the 2026 MLS season.
- Theo Corbeanu registered his first assist of the 2026 MLS season.
- Jackson Gilman registered his first assist for the Reds.
- Luka Gavran recorded a season-high seven saves against Charlotte FC, tying his career-best previously set against New York City FC on March 16, 2024.
