Sargent scores winner in 86th minute to help Toronto FC to a 2-1 win over D.C. United

TORONTO — Some late-game heroics by Josh Sargent lifted Toronto FC to a 2-1 victory over D.C. United on Wednesday night and kept his team’s slim playoff hopes alive.

After setting up the tying goal earlier in the second half, Sargent slotted home the winner in the 86th minute to give the home side a much-needed three points.

“This team just doesn’t give up and fights to the end,” Sargent said. “A massive result for us and on to the next one.”

With the win, Toronto FC pulled even with Red Bull New York, which started the day in the ninth and final playoff spot with 39 points. New York dropped a 3-2 decision to the New England Revolution.

Columbus leapfrogged Toronto and New York later in the evening by posting a 2-0 win over FC Dallas. The Crew moved into sole possession of the last wild-card spot with 41 points.

After a sluggish first half on fan appreciation night at BMO Field, Toronto FC came out with more energy after the break.

Sargent delivered a powerful header off a corner kick that deflected off Jonathan Osorio to put TFC on the board in the 64th minute.

The home side kept on the attack late in the half and was rewarded. On the winner, Theo Corbeanu’s shot hit the post and the ball rolled right to Sargent, who coolly knocked it home.

“I thought he deserved it all game (with) the way he played and the way he pushed,” Osorio said.

Andre Dozzell tallied in the 29th minute for United.

It was the home finale for TFC, which will visit Atlanta on Sunday before closing out its regular-season schedule on Nov. 7 against the Philadelphia Union.

“We know the circumstances,” Osorio said. “Every game is a must-win.”

The home side was surprisingly tentative at the start despite facing a potential elimination situation.

Toronto FC’s defenders looked stagnant before the United goal as the visitors controlled the ball in the area. Silvan Hefti made a soft pass to Dozzell, who beat Toronto FC goalkeeper Luka Gavran.

Toronto showed signs of life late in the first half but couldn’t capitalize.

Osorio had the best chance when a ball bounced up for him after a corner kick. The Toronto captain swivelled by the six-yard box but his left foot sent the ball wide.

The team came out with more pep after halftime. Daniel Salloi had a good chance early in the second half but his shot was deflected wide.

Salloi got into a shoving match with some United players after a corner kick and was shown a yellow card.

Toronto’s goal came on its first shot on target. Originally awarded to Sargent, it was initially disallowed due to an offside flag but a video review confirmed it was a good goal.

“I thought we were much more active and dynamic in the second half which led to a lot more chances,” said Toronto head coach Robin Fraser. “We needed the three points, we got the three points.”

It was Osorio’s first goal of the season. He has scored in all 14 seasons he has played with the team.

Toronto finished its home schedule with a 6-2-9 record while United’s road mark slipped to 2-7-7 with its fourth straight defeat overall.

Toronto (9-11-12) has earned at least a point in four of its last five games.

D.C. forward Tai Baribo, who leads the team with 16 goals, sat out with a hip injury. United (7-13-12) beat Toronto 2-1 when the teams met on July 25 at Audi Field.

Toronto hasn’t reached the post-season since 2020. The Reds dropped a 1-0 decision to Nashville SC in the first round that year.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 28, 2026.

Gregory Strong, The Canadian Press