MLS Scores: Sargent’s Winner Caps Wild TFC Comeback Against Rapids
TORONTO – Josh Sargent couldn’t hide his disbelief. His first Major League Soccer goal proved to be the game-winner for Toronto FC in a dramatic 3-2 victory over the Colorado Rapids on Saturday. However, the real talking point of the match was an unforgettable own goal by Colorado goalkeeper Zack Steffen, which ignited Toronto’s comeback.
Trailing 2-1 in the 75th minute, Rapids right-back Keegan Rosenberry attempted a simple pass back to captain Steffen. But the Colorado shot-stopper misjudged the bounce, allowing the ball to dribble past him and into the net, leveling the score.
“I was a bit like ‘OK, what just happened? We’ll take it,’” Sargent said with a smile. “We definitely got a boost of energy from that, like ‘all right, let’s go win this thing now.’”
Sargent’s Breakthrough Moment
Just minutes later, Sargent rose above the defense to powerfully head home a cross from Alonso Coello. It was a significant moment for the American forward, marking his first goal in three games since joining TFC from Norwich City in February.
“Big relief. It’s been a while since I’ve scored,” said Sargent, who had earlier missed a scoring opportunity in the first half. “I would have been upset if I didn’t get a goal by the end of the game. So just very happy. Great to get a goal and hopefully more to come.” Sargent played the full 90 minutes, a testament to his growing fitness and importance to the team.
A Game of Momentum Swings and Red Cards
Toronto (3-2-1) extended their points streak to four games in a match filled with drama. The game featured a remarkable three red cards and constant momentum shifts. Colorado (3-3-0) was the first to be reduced to ten men, with midfielder Jackson Travis receiving a red card in the 33rd minute for a dangerous tackle on TFC’s Raheem Edwards.
However, Toronto quickly found themselves in a similar situation, as Edwards was sent off early in the second half for denying a clear goal-scoring opportunity. The Rapids capitalized on the ensuing free kick, with Paxten Aaronson beating TFC’s Luka Gavran low to his right in the 51st minute. Rosenberry then doubled Colorado’s lead just three minutes later.
“It was actually quite surreal,” said Toronto head coach Robin Fraser. “It’s a horrible place to be, but I think we got even better and even more engaged at that point. Then it turned into this crazy game.”
Richie Laryea sparked the comeback with a stunning strike in the 65th minute, curling the ball into the top corner from a tight angle. Some speculated the goal was intended as a cross that was carried in by the wind, but the result was all that mattered for Toronto.
Colorado’s Miguel Navarro received his second yellow card and was sent off in the 74th minute, setting the stage for Steffen’s unfortunate own goal and Sargent’s eventual winner.
Looking Ahead
Djordje Mihailovic, recently acquired by TFC from Colorado, was unavailable for his first game against his former team due to a pelvis injury. The extent of his injury remains unknown. Toronto defender Walker Zimmerman was also substituted off in the 56th minute with calf tightness.
Toronto hosts FC Cincinnati next, while Colorado returns home to face the Houston Dynamo. This match was the third of nine consecutive home games for TFC before they embark on a road trip to accommodate the FIFA World Cup.
Source: The Star
