Columbus Crew 4, Toronto FC 2
Saturday, October 24 | ScottsMiracle-Gro Field, Columbus, Ohio
Toronto FC’s late-season playoff push suffered a setback on Saturday as the Reds fell 4–2 to the Columbus Crew.
Despite second-half goals from Dániel Sallói and Josh Sargent, Toronto could not recover from conceding four times, including twice to Columbus defender Malte Amundsen.
The Crew earned their third consecutive victory and fifth win in six matches, strengthening their position in the Eastern Conference playoff race.
Toronto remains in contention but missed a valuable opportunity to collect points on the road.
Match Analysis
First half — Columbus takes command
Toronto nearly opened the scoring in the third minute when Djordje Mihailovic fired an effort after Lewis Morgan’s work down the left flank.
Columbus survived that early warning and gradually took control.
Farsi drove forward before setting up Tapia for the opener in the 16th minute.
Five minutes later, Chambost delivered a dangerous cross that Amundsen headed home.
Toronto created a few opportunities before halftime, but neither Morgan nor Theo Corbeanu could find the target.
The Reds went into the break trailing 2–0.
Second half — Crew extend their advantage
Amundsen struck again in the 48th minute, finishing another Chambost delivery after a short corner.
Lennon then made it 4–0 in the 59th minute, sweeping home Chambost’s lay-off.
Sallói gave Toronto a lifeline with a powerful back-post header in the 69th minute.
A minute later, Columbus defender Sekou Bangoura received his second yellow card, leaving the Crew with 10 men.
Toronto appeared to score again from the resulting free kick, but Matheus Pereira’s rebound finish was disallowed for handball.
Sargent’s long-range strike in the 81st
minute cut the deficit to two, with Osorio and substitute Aristizábal combining in the buildup.
Toronto continued pressing, but Columbus held on
Standout Performers
Malte Amundsen — Columbus Crew
Scored twice, including a decisive early second-half goal.
His first career MLS brace helped put Columbus firmly in control.
Josh Sargent — Toronto FC
Produced a powerful finish from outside the box to give Toronto hope late in the match.
What’s Next
Toronto FC return to BMO Field on Wednesday, October 28, to host D.C. United in their final regular-season home match.
Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Eastern.
With the Eastern Conference playoff race tightening, Toronto needs a strong response.
Final verdict: Toronto’s second-half fight showed character, but the damage had already been done.
Columbus exploited defensive gaps, Amundsen delivered a career performance and Chambost orchestrated the attack.
The Reds’ comeback was encouraging, but two late goals could not erase a difficult afternoon in Ohio.
