Toronto FC (5W-7L-9T, 24 points) host 2015 MLS expansion club New York City FC (7W-8L-6T, 27 points) in the first of a three-game homestand on Saturday evening. The Matchday 23 encounter in Toronto, Ontario kicks off at 7:30 p.m. ET and will be available globally in English and Spanish on Apple TV.
The Reds enter Saturday’s matchup on a four-game unbeaten run (2W-2T) dating back to July 31, including their most recent 2-1 road triumph over Inter Miami CF on August 22. Historically, Toronto holds a 6W-11L-8T record through 25 regular season meetings with New York City FC and will aim to secure their first home victory over NYCFC since April 2023.
HOME SWEET HOME
Toronto FC return home to host New York City FC on Saturday evening, kicking off a three-game home stand for the Reds from August 29 through September 9. Unbeaten in their last three home matches, TFC hold a 128W-101L-90T all-time record (474 points) in MLS regular season matches on home soil to date.
THROUGH THE YEARS
TFC face 2015 MLS expansion club New York City FC in the 26th regular season meeting between the sides. Historically, Toronto hold a 6W-11L-8T record through 25 regular season encounters and have won all three of their MLS Cup Playoffs clashes against NYCFC. The two Eastern Conference clubs recently battled to a 1-1 draw on July 31, as Djordje Mihailovic’s first-half strike cancelled out Nicolás Fernández’s opener at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx. On Saturday, the Reds will be looking to secure their first home win over New York City FC since April 29, 2023, when CJ Sapong scored on his club debut to give the hosts a 1-0 victory at BMO Field.
ONE STEP FORWARD
The Reds enter Matchday 23 unbeaten in their last three matches (2W-1T) and having earned results in six of their last seven games (2W-4T-1L) following the FIFA World Cup 26™ break. After a 2-1 home triumph over New England Revolution on August 15, TFC battled to a dramatic 3-3 draw with Charlotte FC four days later, with goals from Markus Cimermancic, Dániel Sallói and Niklas Dorsch. On the night, Cimermancic scored his first goal for the club, becoming the eighth different player to open his account for TFC during the 2026 MLS season, while Luka Gavran made a season-high seven saves, tying his career-best previously set against New York City FC on March 16, 2024.
On August 22, Toronto FC followed up with a historic 2-1 road victory over Inter Miami CF, earning their first-ever away win against the reigning MLS Cup champions. Josh Sargent opened the scoring in the 59th minute before Derrick Etienne Jr. doubled the advantage three minutes later, with his goal marking his 50th career MLS goal contribution (23G 27A). Lionel Messi pulled one back in the 82nd minute for the Herons but the Reds ultimately held firm to secure a crucial three points in the club’s first-ever visit to Nu Stadium.
TEAM OF THE MATCHDAY
On Monday, TFC forward Josh Sargent was named to the MLS Team of the Matchday (bench) for Matchday 22 following his complete performance in the Reds’ 2-1 road victory over reigning MLS Cup champions Inter Miami CF at Nu Stadium on Saturday. With the star-studded clash goalless approaching the hour mark, TFC broke the deadlock when Derrick Etienne Jr. collected a clearance and found Daniel Sallói in space. The winger played a pass to the top of the box for Josh Sargent, who took a touch before curling a powerful, low effort into the bottom-left corner beyond Miami goalkeeper Dayne St. Clair to give the Reds the lead. The 59th minute opener marked the American striker’s sixth goal contribution and fourth goal since joining the Reds in February 2026.
Sargent’s all-around performance stood out throughout the night, with the 26-year-old contributing at both ends of the pitch while ranking among the Reds’ leaders in sprints (16), challenges made (4), shots (2), clearances (1) and top speed (32.26 km/h). The O’Fallon, Missouri native also covered 8.49 kilometres during his 77-minute outing, helping the Reds secure their first-ever road victory over Inter Miami CF. The honour marks Sargent’s second MLS Team of the Matchday selection with TFC and the Reds’ third consecutive Matchday selection, following Niklas Dorsch’s selections in Matchday 20 and Matchday 21. In total, Toronto FC have now earned nine MLS Team of the Matchday selections during the 2026 MLS regular season – Dorsch (2), Sargent (2), Aristizábal (1), Cifuentes (1), Gavran (1), Laryea (1) and Zimmerman (1).
ACADEMY CELEBRATION & CNE FUN
The Reds will celebrate their annual Toronto FC Academy Achievement Day presented by BMO at BMO Field on Saturday. The Club will celebrate the Academy’s accomplishments from the previous season while welcoming the next generation of Reds as the athletes and their families are recognized for their dedication, support and bright futures in the beautiful game. Additionally, all tickets to Saturday’s match at BMO Field also include grounds admission to the annual Canadian National Exhibition at Exhibition Place.
ONCE A RED
Two active New York City FC goalkeepers previously represented Toronto FC during their respective MLS careers. Tomás Romero joined the Reds in November 2022 and made his club debut against St. Louis City SC on July 8, 2023. The El Salvador international made six appearances during the 2023 campaign, recording 23 saves before joining NYCFC in February 2024. Fellow shot-stopper Greg Ranjitsingh signed with Toronto FC in January 2022 and made his club debut against FC Cincinnati on June 21, 2023. The Scarborough, Ontario native made four appearances across three seasons (2022-24), registering 14 saves before joining the Boys in Blue in January 2025.
TFC General Manager Jason Hernandez also shares a connection with Saturday’s opponents. Following ten seasons split between the MetroStars, Chivas USA and San Jose Earthquakes, Hernandez was selected by NYCFC with the sixth overall pick in the 2014 MLS Expansion Draft. The former MLS defender went on to make 59 appearances across the club’s inaugural two seasons (2015, 2016), including a start in New York City FC’s first-ever MLS match against Orlando City, before signing with Toronto FC in March 2017.
