Major League Soccer
Toronto FC Held to 3-3 Draw by Charlotte After Late Equaliser
A dramatic 90th-minute strike from N. Dorsch salvaged a point for Toronto FC in a thrilling encounter at BMO Field.
Toronto FC and Charlotte played out a thrilling 3-3 draw at BMO Field on Tuesday night, with the hosts salvaging a late point through a dramatic 90th-minute equaliser.
Charlotte got off to a flying start, with R. Aloko slotting home in the 8th minute after a neat pass from A. Westwood. Toronto responded quickly, though, as M. Cimermancic pulled one back in the 13th minute, capitalising on a clever backheel from J. Sargent.
The visitors retook the lead before the half-hour mark when I. Toklomati found the net in the 20th minute, finishing off a sweeping move orchestrated by L. Abada. Toronto went into the break trailing 2-1, but the red card shown to W. Zimmerman in the 56th minute shifted momentum firmly in their favour.
H. Kessler restored Charlotte's two-goal cushion in the 58th minute, rifling home a low drive after another incisive pass from A. Westwood. But Toronto showed resilience, with D. Salloi pulling one back in the 76th minute, converting a well-weighted ball from T. Corbeanu.
With the clock winding down, N. Dorsch stepped up to head home the dramatic 90th-minute equaliser, ensuring Toronto snatched a draw from the jaws of defeat. The result leaves both sides with a point apiece.
The draw moves Toronto FC up to 11th in the Eastern Conference on 21 points, while Charlotte remain sixth with 29 points after 20 games.
A. Da Silva oversaw the action at BMO Field, where both Dean Smith's 4-3-3 setup and Robin Fraser's 4-2-3-1 formation struggled to contain the opposition's attacking threat.
The match will be remembered for its intensity, late drama and the character shown by both sides in a contest that delivered goals, controversy and a sensational finish.