TORONTO — Toronto FC will look to finish the job Saturday against the Columbus Crew after conceding a last-second equalizer in its home opener against New York.
Head coach Robin Fraser said Friday his players know they left something on the table in the 1-1 draw with the Red Bulls.
“To a man, they feel like they didn’t do as well as they should have, and they know it,” Fraser said, adding that practices throughout the week were strong as a result. “It just feels like we’re in a good position mentally and hopefully that should dictate a lot about how we start the game and how we go through the game (against Columbus).”
Despite not dominating, a first-half goal from off-season addition Dániel Sallói had Toronto FC ahead into the 98th minute of its home opener against the New York Red Bulls last Saturday.
But deep into stoppage time, TFC conceded an equalizer off a corner kick, turning three points into one.
Winless Columbus (0-2-2) visits Toronto (1-1-2), marking the second of a nine-game MLS homestand for TFC before it heads on the road to make way for the World Cup this summer.
Fraser said he is looking for increased urgency from his team.
“That has been conveyed to the players, and the whole week felt different,” he said.
Benjamin Kuscevic, a 29-year-old centre back from Santiago, Chile, who only joined the team earlier this month, has started three games for Toronto FC.
Kuscevic, who has one shot attempt, three fouls and a yellow card in his first three appearances, said the group is focused on seeing out matches late.
“I don’t know that we need that for motivation. We already have big motivations. They’re not coming from a bad moment. They’re almost all coming from good things. But it is something to be alert to. Games are coming to minute 100 now, so you can’t be relaxed until you’re back in the locker room,” Kuscevic said.
Fraser said Kuscevic, who was acquired on loan from Brazil’s Fortaleza earlier in March, has come better than advertised.
“Ben is very confident in what he can do. His understanding of the game, whatever the system is, whatever the occasion is, I don’t feel like anything is going to fluster him, and it’s a great level personality that I think is ideal for a centre back,” Fraser said.
In other newcomer news, Sallói, 29, signed a contract extension Tuesday that keeps him in Toronto through 2027 with an option for 2027-28.
The Hungarian arrived after a decade with Sporting KC, where he scored 59 goals and added 45 assists in 253 appearances.
Fraser said Sallói has been a big boost for TFC and sees him as a key piece moving forward.
“We knew he was a good player coming in. But working with him day in and day out, I think he’s even better than I thought he was. His character is fantastic. He’s someone who just wants to work for his team and help his teammates out and help the organization out. I can see him doing really well for us for a while,” Fraser said.
Saturday’s match will mark just the second appearance of Josh Sargent’s TFC career.
Sargent, who arrived from England’s Norwich City, is expected to play more than the 20 minutes he saw in his debut as he continues to build toward full fitness.
“Even in the 20 minutes that he played, you see the bits of quality, his ability to hold the ball under pressure, timing of his runs, his ability to put himself in goal-scoring positions. And yeah, we’re excited. I just feel like he’s only going to get better and sharper,” Fraser said.
On the flip side, if Toronto native Jonathan Osorio takes the pitch, it will mark the TFC captain’s 400th game with the club.
“It’d be different even if he had an entire career somewhere else, which would be fantastic, but to be in his hometown team, to come here, start as young as he did, and to still be going it, and still be doing it, is pretty incredible,” Fraser said.
On the injury front, Fraser said he doesn’t expect Henry Wingo, Matheus Pereira or Nicksoen Gomis to be available against Columbus. Jules-Anthony Vilsaint, who did not play against New York due to illness, had a good week of practice and could factor in.
After facing Columbus, the Reds have a week off before returning to action April 4 against Colorado.
This report by the Canadian Press was first published March 20, 2026.
Myles Dichter, The Canadian Press
