Toronto FC (3W-2L-2T, 11 points) welcome 2021 MLS expansion side Austin FC (1W-3L-3T, 6 points) to BMO Field on Saturday afternoon. The Matchday 8 clash in Toronto, Ontario kicks off at 1:00 p.m. ET and will be available globally in English and Spanish on Apple TV.
The Reds enter Matchday 8 in a positive run of form, riding a five-match unbeaten streak (3W-2T) since March 8, while also going unbeaten in their last 11 home matches (4W-7T) at BMO Field dating back to June 25, 2025. Historically, Toronto holds a 1W-1L record in their first two regular season meetings with Austin and will look to secure their first home win over Los Verdes since September 2024.
HOME SWEET HOME
Toronto FC host Western Conference side Austin FC on Saturday afternoon at BMO Field, marking the fifth of nine consecutive MLS home matches between March 14 and May 9. The Reds have opened their 2026 campaign unbeaten in four home matches, with a pair of wins and ties each, and hold a 127W-99L-86T all-time record (467 points) in MLS regular season matches played on home soil.
THROUGH THE YEARS
TFC welcome 2021 MLS expansion side Austin FC for just the third all-time regular season meeting between the two clubs. Historically, Toronto holds a 1W-1L record in the series, with each side winning at home once. The Reds will look to maintain their home record and replicate the 2-1 victory from their most recent matchup, when first-half goals from hometown duo Jonathan Osorio and Deandre Kerr secured three points on September 14, 2024 at BMO Field.
ONE STEP FORWARD
The Reds head into Matchday 8 in a strong run of form that includes an unbeaten run since March 8. After going unbeaten in the month of March (2W-1T), TFC added four points from their two matches following the international break.
On April 4, Toronto FC secured a dramatic 3-2 win over the Colorado Rapids in a five goal intra-conference clash at BMO Field. Colorado’s Jackson Travis was dismissed in the 35th minute before Toronto’s Raheem Edwards received marching orders of his own early in the second half. Paxten Aaronson broke the deadlock for the visitors with a direct free-kick in the 51st minute, before Keegan Rosenberry doubled the advantage two minutes later. Richie Laryea struck for the hosts in the 65th minute before Miguel Navarro was shown a second yellow card reducing the Rapids to nine men. Toronto found their equalizer through an own goal scored by Colorado goalkeeper Zack Steffen, before TFC completed the comeback when Josh Sargent powered home a late header from an Alonso Coello corner to seal all three points. Brazilian defender Matheus Pereira also made his club debut, entering as a 52nd minute substitute to become the sixth Red to debut in 2026.
The Reds’ positive momentum was carried into the club’s 1-1 draw against FC Cincinnati at BMO Field last Saturday. Both goalkeepers, Toronto’s Luka Gavran and Cincinnati’s Roman Celentano, produced key saves to keep the scores level before Cincinnati were reduced to 10 men in the 71st minute following Kevin Denkey receiving two quick yellow cards. Toronto capitalized in the 83rd minute when Josh Sargent’s header from a Daniel Sallói cross was turned into his own net by Gilberto Flores. The Orange & Blue, however, responded in stoppage time, as Kenji Mboma Dem’s 92nd minute finish forced the Eastern Conference clubs to settle for a point apiece.
With the result, TFC extended their unbeaten run to five matches, recording three wins and two ties since March 8, 2026. The Reds are now also unbeaten in their last 11 home matches at BMO Field, recording four wins and seven ties dating back to June 25, 2025.
ONCE A RED
Saturday afternoon’s clash with Austin FC will see the Reds come up against a familiar face in winger Jayden Nelson. The Brampton, Ontario native originally joined the Toronto FC Academy in 2017 and spent six years progressing through the ranks at the club. He signed a contract with TFC as a Homegrown Player on January 23, 2020, becoming the 23rd player in club history to sign for the first team from the Toronto FC Academy. Nelson made 50 combined appearances across three seasons (2020 – 2022), scoring his lone goal against Real Salt Lake on April 9, 2022, and was part of the squad that lifted the postponed 2020 Canadian Championship with victory over Forge FC on June 4, 2022. Prior to the First Team, he made 14 appearances for Toronto FC II during the 2019 USL League One season, including his professional debut against Orlando City B on April 6, 2019. Nelson joined Rosenborg BK in Norway’s Eliteserien in February 2023, spending two years in Europe before returning to Major League Soccer. He featured for the Vancouver Whitecaps during the 2025 MLS season before joining Austin FC in December 2025, where he recently scored his first goal for Los Verdes against Inter Miami CF on April 4.
