Toronto FC played under real pressure. After a chaotic sequence of losses and anxious performances, the Canadian side needed a response. And they got one. At home in BMO Field, Toronto beat the Portland Timbers with a confident display from start to finish. Apart from the result, it was also the team's fifth clean sheet of the season, a statistic that speaks volumes about the team effort under head coach Robin Fraser.
The win doesn't quite pull Toronto out of the Eastern Conference basement just yet, but it does give them some much-needed breathing room and a suggestion that this team might still have room to recover. The Reds sit at 17 points and 13th in the East. Portland, on the other hand, came in with 30 points and in fourth in the West, but left with a result that not many saw coming.
Toronto grabs the early lead
It was all Toronto early. They made good on their first real chance. Petretta was brought down outside the area in the 11th minute by Omir Fernández. Alonso Coello stepped up and took the free kick, shooting low and hard. It curved around the wall and in the left corner, out of reach for goalkeeper James Pantemis, who had already committed the other way. It was a clean, confident strike and, rather importantly, Toronto's first direct free kick goal of the 2025 season.
The goal gave the team a boost and seemed to set the tone. Portland struggled to create anything dangerous before the half, which only helped to highlight how well Fraser's defence held firm. The 1-0 score held until halftime.
Finishing it off in stoppage time
The second half started with more pace, and Toronto didn't waste any time adding to their lead. The second goal came in the 56th minute and, as with the first, it was 11 minutes into the half. Alonso Coello delivered a corner that was flicked on by Kosi Thompson, and once more by Ola Brynhildsen, before falling for Tyrese Spicer to tap in from close. The Trinidad and Tobago forward attempted an acrobatic attempt that flew in, giving Toronto a two-goal advantage.
With the game in hand, Fraser seized the chance to introduce yet another new face. Midfielder and Toronto FC II captain Michael Sullivan debuted late in the match. It followed the recent first-team debut of Malik Henry in the midweek clash with the New York Red Bulls. Debuting young players when there is little pressure is a smart move, and Fraser is clearly looking internally within the club for options further down the road.
Toronto wasn't done. Deep into time added on, Derrick Etienne Jr., who started the game on the bench, created one last moment. He sprinted down the left side, carried it to the end line, and sent in a cross that Portland's Ian Smith headed into his own net. It was a bit of luck, but it capped a night where Toronto didn't leave much to chance.