Toronto FC defender Richie Laryea has been named to the MLS Team of the Matchday (bench) for Matchday 3 after an all-action performance in the Reds’ 1-0 road win against FC Cincinnati at TQL Stadium.
Making his third start of the 2026 MLS season, Richie Laryea nearly opened the scoring before half-time, forcing FC Cincinnati goalkeeper Roman Celentano into a crucial save just moments before the interval.
With the marquee Sunday Night Soccer clash still deadlocked late into the second half, Laryea’s defensive awareness and playmaking ability proved instrumental in unlocking the Cincinnati defence. In the 86th minute, the defender collected Celentano’s long throw inside Toronto’s half, turned into space and surged forward before threading a perfectly weighted through ball from the halfway line to meet Dániel Sallói’s well-timed run down the left flank. Sallói gathered the pass and coolly slotted his finish beyond Celentano for the Reds’ first-ever goal at TQL Stadium.
The late strike marked Laryea’s first assist of the 2026 MLS season and ultimately proved decisive in securing TFC’s first-ever victory at TQL Stadium in Cincinnati, Ohio.
Laryea’s influential impact was also evident on the defensive end throughout the night. The Canadian international recorded game-highs in sprints (22) and fouls against (5), while also registering a team-best top speed of 34.64 km/h and ranking fourth in the team for distance covered (10.33 km), helping Toronto FC secure their first clean sheet and first win of the 2026 MLS season.
The honour marks Richie Laryea’s first MLS Team of the Matchday selection of the 2026 season and his fifteenth overall for Toronto FC.
MLSsoccer.com’s Team of the Matchday – Matchday 35:
F: Sam Surridge (NSH), Brian White (VAN), Rafael Navarro (COL)
M: Pep Biel (CLT), Keaton Parks (NYC), Maxi Moralez (NYC), Wikelman Carmona (MTL)
D: Kalani Kossa-Rienzi (SEA), Tristan Blackmon (VAN), Zavier Gozo (RSL)
GK: Chris Brady (CHI)
Coach: Jesper Sørensen (VAN)
Bench: Thomas Gillier (MTL), Richie Laryea (TOR), Patrick Yazbek (NSH), Sebastian Berhalter (VAN), Alexey Miranchuk (ATL), David Martínez (LAFC), Anders Dreyer (SD), Timo Werner (SJ), Darren Yapi (COL)
