RECAP: Red Bull Kept Quiet in Key Toronto Loss

HARRISON, N.J. – Red Bull New York disappoint in a must-win game for their playoff hopes by losing 2-0 to Toronto FC on Saturday night at Sports Illustrated Stadium. New York controlled most of the game as their Canadian opponents stood fast in a defensive posture, catching the home team off-guard for an own goal and then a second half stunner to send head coach Michael Bradley searching for answers.

Both teams entered the game knowing that their defense has been suspect in recent weeks. Both teams had surrendered multiple goals but it was Toronto who showed more defensive sturdiness. It only took three minutes for Red Bull to fall behind as a cross into the box was missed by goalkeeper Ethan Horvath and bounced off of defender Justin Che for the game’s opening goal. From there it was Red Bull in a constant search for an equalizer. They pushed with shots outside of the box and even getting an opportunity from Julian Hall stopped by goalkeeper Luka Gavran.

The second half saw New York make significant changes early as they brought in veteran leadership in Emil Forsberg and Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting. It saw little return as Forsberg missed a key free kick and Choup-Moting did little to produce clear chances. The defensive posture of Toronto paid off in the 82nd minute when Daniel Salloi intercepted the ball and ran it back one-on-one and beat Horvath to double the lead.

The loss doesn’t drop Red Bull in the standings but does move Toronto level on points, congesting the bottom of the Eastern Conference standings. FC Cincinnati still have two games in hand which could prove costly in New York’s hunt to return to the MLS Cup Playoffs. Next up is a difficult challenge as Inter Miami come to Sports Illustrated Stadium in what may be the deciding factor in Red Bull’s 2026 season.

STARTING XI:

Red Bull New York: Horvath; Nealis (60′ Marshall-Rutty), Che (71′ Castro), Bazan, Padelford, Donkor, Mehmeti (46′ Forsberg), Sofo, Harper (60′ Ruvalcaba), Hall, Cowell (46′ Choupo-Moting)

Toronto FC: Gavran; Franklin (29′ Gilman), Monlouis, Gomis, Pereira, Corbeanu (68′ Etienne Jr.), Dorsch, Mihailovic (68′ Salloi), Sargent (86′ Chukwu), Morgan (86′ Coello)

SCORING SUMMARY:
03′ (Toronto FC) Justin Che (OG)
82′ (Toronto FC) Daniel Salloi (8) unassisted

DISCIPLINE:
52′ (Toronto FC) Zane Monlouis – YELLOW CARD
67′ (Toronto FC) Lewis Morgan – YELLOW CARD
87′ (Toronto FC) Derrick Etienne Jr. – YELLOW CARD