TORONTO — It was a day of firsts for Toronto FC on Saturday afternoon at BMO Field.
The Reds extended their points streak to three straight games with a 2-1 comeback victory over the Columbus Crew. Midfielder Jose Cifuentes and centre back Walker Zimmerman both scored their first-ever goals for TFC.
Wessam Abou Ali of Columbus, in the fourth minute, opened the scoring for the visiting side, but Cifuentes got TFC on the board in the 56th minute. It was Ecuadorean international’s first career goal for the Reds since joining the club last August on loan from the Glasgow Rangers.
Cifuentes was listed as questionable before the game because of a knee issue but was in the starting lineup. He was forced to leave the game in the 75th minute after going down hard and was replaced by Malik Henry.
Zimmerman, who joined TFC as a free agent in January after six seasons with Nashville SC, scored the 83rd minute. He headed a hard corner kick by Djordje Mihailovic from the centre of the box into the Columbus goal, giving the Reds a lead that they never relinquished.
The Crew, winless in five games this season, held a slight advantage in possession (54 per cent to 46 per cent) but were outshot 13-9. Toronto also had seven shots on goal to only three by Columbus.
The win improved TFC’s season record to two wins, a draw and two losses.
The match represented the first TFC start for DP striker Josh Sargent although he was replaced by Mihailovic to start the second.
Despite TFC dominating possession early in the first half, the Crew jumped ahead 1-0 in the fourth minute when midfielder Max Arfsten received a long pass down the left side of the field from midfielder Dylan Chambost. Following a nice cross into the box by Chambost, Ali headed the ball into the corner past TFC keeper Luka Gavran for the lead.
The Reds kept pushing in the half and were awarded three straight corner kicks in the 40th minute, taken by attacking midfielder Alonso Coello, and almost connected on all three. The second of three was saved at the last minute by a Columbus defender as the ball headed toward the goal.
Veteran TFC midfielder Jonathan Osorio intercepted a bad clearing attempt by Columbus goalkeeper Patrick Schulte in the box. He found Daniel Salloi alone in front and the Hungarian winger directed his hurried strike just wide.
In the 52nd minute, Columbus midfielder Diego Rossi picked up a pass on a counterattack and right-footed a hard shot off the left goalpost.
TFC tied it in the 56th minute when Cifuentes collected a pass from Salloi, settled it down, then right-footed a shot from the centre of the box into the far corner. Richie Laryea also picked up an assist on the goal.
Seconds later, Schulte was forced to make a diving save on a right-footed shot by Salloi from just outside the box.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 21, 2026.
Steve Buffery, The Canadian Press
