TORONTO, CANADA — Dániel Sallói's first-half strike looked set to deliver Toronto FC a precious home victory at BMO Field, but Eric Choupo-Moting had other ideas. The New York Red Bulls substitute drilled a right-footed shot into the top right corner in the seventh minute of stoppage time to snatch a 1-1 draw and leave the home faithful stunned. It was a gut-punch finish to a match Toronto had controlled for long stretches, and one that keeps them rooted in 7th place in the MLS standings with four points from four games.
Sallói's 43rd-minute opener had been a thing of beauty. Djordje Mihailovic, one of the most influential figures on the pitch throughout the first half, delivered from a set-piece situation and the Hungarian striker met the ball cleanly from the centre of the box, sending a right-footed effort high into the net. It was a composed, well-taken finish that rewarded Toronto's growing dominance as the half drew to a close, and BMO Field responded with genuine belief that a home win was within reach.
The Red Bulls, however, were never a side willing to fold quietly. New York had shown flashes of danger throughout, and Toronto goalkeeper Luka Gavran was called upon repeatedly to keep the lead intact. Jorge Ruvalcaba tested him from the right side of the box, with Adri Mehmeti providing the assist, only for Gavran to smother the effort. Julian Hall then threatened from the centre of the box after Justin Che played a sharp through ball, but again Gavran stood firm. Across the ninety-plus minutes, the Croatian stopper made seven crucial saves—a genuinely heroic performance that refused to let his side's lead slip through ordinary means.
On the opposite end, Ethan Horvath was kept equally busy. Mihailovic tested him from the centre of the box after a neat lay-off from Emilio Aristizábal, and Josh Sargent—introduced from the bench in the 70th minute—forced another stop from the right side of the box, with Deandre Kerr providing the assist. Horvath finished the evening with five saves, and his composure under pressure kept New York's hopes alive long enough for the late drama to unfold.
The statistics reflected just how evenly matched these two sides were. Possession was split exactly 50-50, a number that told the story of a contest neither team truly controlled. Toronto created the cleaner chances and defended with discipline for most of the ninety minutes, but the Red Bulls' persistence—and the quality of their substitutes—ultimately earned them a share of the spoils.
The turning point arrived in the 77th minute when New York manager Michael Bradley introduced Eric Choupo-Moting from the bench, replacing Ronald Donkor. It proved an inspired call. With Toronto defending deep and the clock ticking into stoppage time, Bradley was visibly animated on the touchline, urging his young side forward. These Red Bulls are not a team that surrenders, and their coach is not one to accept defeat quietly. When a corner kick dropped into the box in the 97th minute, Choupo-Moting was there—composed, clinical—to fire into the top right corner and silence the home crowd.
Three yellow cards added an edge to the proceedings, with Matthew Dos Santos and Robert Voloder cautioned for New York, and José Cifuentes booked for Toronto, all before the break. The niggly nature of the first half set the tone for a fiercely competitive second period, where neither side gave an inch without a fight.
The scoreboard resets; the table does not. Toronto FC travel to Columbus Crew on March 21 needing a response after this heartbreaking result, while the Red Bulls, buoyed by their late point and the character they displayed, head to Charlotte FC on the same date carrying the confidence of a side that never stopped believing until the final whistle.