Toronto FC (5-13-7, 22 points) return home to host Columbus Crew (12-5-8, 44 points) at BMO Field on Saturday evening. The Matchday 29 contest in Toronto, Ontario kicks off at 7:30 p.m. ET and will be broadcast globally in English and Spanish on MLS Season Pass on the Apple TV app and on TSN4 in Canada.
Back on home soil after four consecutive road matches, Toronto FC will host their annual Caribbean Heritage Night against the Crew, coming off a hard-earned point against the Philadelphia Union last weekend. Historically, TFC hold an 11W-20L-13T record in 44 regular season meetings with the Black & Gold and will be looking to record their first home win over Columbus since October 2019.
HOME SWEET HOME
Toronto FC return to BMO Field on Saturday evening for the first of two regular season meetings against Columbus Crew. The Reds, back home after four consecutive road matches this summer, hold a 124W-99L-81T all-time record (453 points) in MLS regular season matches played on home soil to date.
AN ODE TO THE PAST
TFC host conference rivals Columbus Crew for the 45th encounter in the all-time regular season series between the two clubs. Historically, TFC hold an 11W-20L-13T record through their first 44 meetings with the Black & Gold, including a 7W-7L-7T record in 21 MLS home matches. Toronto will be aiming for their first home win over the Crew since October 6, 2019, when Alejandro Pozuelo’s direct free-kick lifted the Reds to a 1-0 victory at BMO Field.
STEP BY STEP
The Reds enter Saturday’s contest on the back of a hard-fought road point against Eastern Conference and Supporters’ Shield leaders Philadelphia Union last weekend. Philadelphia took a fourth minute lead through Indiana Vassilev after a slick team move at Subaru Park. Introduced off the bench in the 76th minute in search of an equalizer, Malik Henry and Deandre Kerr combined for a stoppage time equalizer, with Kerr heading home Henry’s cross in the 91st minute to secure the 1-1 result. On the night, new Designated Player Djordje Mihailovic made his TFC debut, creating a team-high four chances, while both Mihailovic and Henry registered their first assists for the club on Kerr’s game-tying goal.
TEAM OF THE MATCHDAY
On Monday, TFC forward Deandre Kerr was named to the MLS Team of the Matchday for Matchday 28, as a substitute, after coming off the bench to help secure a 1-1 draw against the Philadelphia Union at Subaru Park. Trailing by a goal, the Reds introduced Kerr and Malik Henry in the 76th minute and the Canadian duo delivered. In stoppage time, Djordje Mihailovic found Henry on the right and his pinpoint cross was headed home by Kerr in the 91st minute. The goal was the Ajax, Ontario native’s 19th for TFC and his third of the 2025 season. The honour marks Deandre Kerr’s first MLS Team of the Matchday selection of the 2025 season and his third since joining TFC in January 2022. In total, Toronto FC have now earned 11 MLS Team of the Matchday selections during the 2025 MLS regular season – Sean Johnson (3), Federico Bernardeschi (2), Theo Corbeanu (2), Ola Brynhildsen (1), Alonso Coello (1), Lorenzo Insigne (1) and Deandre Kerr (1).
ROSTER MOVES
The Reds continued a busy summer with several moves completed during the MLS Secondary Transfer Window. On August 9, TFC signed midfielder Malik Henry from Toronto FC II to an MLS contract through 2025 with club options for 2026 and 2027. Henry made two First Team appearances before signing including his debut against the New York Red Bulls on June 25, 2025. The Hamilton, Ontario native recorded a team-high five assists in 18 MLS NEXT Pro appearances for TFC II this season after signing his first professional contract with the Young Reds in March. The Hamilton, Ontario native was selected 39th overall (second round) by CF Montréal in the 2024 MLS SuperDraft after playing collegiate soccer at the University of Akron and University of North Carolina. He also spent three years in the Toronto FC Academy and represented Canada at the U-15 level.
On Wednesday, TFC traded midfielder Matty Longstaff to CF Montréal and acquired forward Jules-Anthony Vilsaint and up to $275,000 in General Allocation Money (GAM) in exchange. Vilsaint, 22, spent three seasons with CF Montréal, where he registered three goals and five assists in 45 appearances across all competitions. Longstaff, 25, joined the Reds in February 2024 and registered three goals and three assists through 57 appearances across all competitions. The Rotherham, England native made his TFC and MLS debut against Charlotte FC on March 9, 2024, and registered his first goal for the Reds against FC Dallas on May 4, 2024.
TFC sent forward Charlie Sharp on loan to the Tampa Bay Rowdies (USL Championship) for the remainder of the 2025 season. The club also acquired $175,000 in 2025 General Allocation Money (GAM) from Charlotte FC in exchange for a 2025 International Roster Slot.
CARIBBEAN HERITAGE NIGHT
BMO Field is set to come alive with the sights, sounds and flavours of the islands as Toronto FC host their annual Caribbean Heritage Night against Columbus Crew. The celebration will pay tribute to the culture and contributions of Caribbean Canadians, transforming the matchday experience into a showcase of unity, pride and vibrant traditions. A pre-game Tailgate featuring music from DJ Juice and steel pan performers will be taking place from 6:00 p.m. onwards at the King Club 200L at BMO Field. Fans are encouraged to be in their seats for the opening ceremonies that will feature costumed masqueraders in a colourful display of pageantry, while the Under-16 Carnival King and Queen take centre stage with the official match ball presentation. Fans can also enjoy a special matchday concession – a loaded beef patty sandwich paired with BBQ-spiced plantain chips – offering a taste of the islands alongside the on-field action by the lake shore. All tickets to Saturday’s match at BMO Field also include grounds admission to the annual Canadian National Exhibition at Exhibition Place.
FAMILIAR FACES
TFC’s Derrick Etienne Jr. previously played a key role for the Columbus Crew, recording 12 goals and 14 assists in 90 appearances over three seasons (2020-2022). In 2020, Etienne Jr. scored in the MLS Cup to help the Crew defeat Seattle Sounders for their second title and in 2021, he set career-highs in starts (21), minutes (1,849) and assists (5), while starting in the club’s Campeones Cup win over Cruz Azul. Since joining the Reds from Atlanta in April 2024, the Haitian international has recorded five goals and five assists in 48 matches across all competitions. On the other side, Columbus Crew forward Jacen Russell-Rowe came through the ranks at the Toronto FC Academy and previously made one appearance for Toronto FC II during the 2019 USL League One season. Since joining the Crew in March 2022, the Toronto, Ontario native has scored 20 goals through 100 appearances across all competitions.
