Toronto FC (0W-3L-1T, 1 point) came up short against Chicago Fire FC (2W-1L-1T, 7 points) with a 1-2 loss in their 2025 MLS Home Opener at BMO Field on Saturday afternoon.
Toronto FC Head Coach Robin Fraser made a pair of changes from his side that started against FC Cincinnati last weekend with Deybi Flores and Ola Brynhildsen making way for Alonso Coello and Deandre Kerr.
The Reds got off to a quick start and opened the scoring early in front of the home faithful by the lake shore. On the play, Jonathan Osorio found Federico Bernardeschi whose cross into the box was headed home by Canadian forward Deandre Kerr. The 11thminute goal marked the TFC Academy product’s 17th goal for the club and his first of the 2025 season.
Seeking a response, Chicago Fire found an equalizer through American defender Andrew Gutman who unleashed a powerful left-footed shot from distance to tie it up in the 30th minute.
Moments before the half-time whistle, the visitors took the lead when substitute Leonardo Barroso’s pass into the box was bundled home by Belgian forward Hugo Cuypers.
The Fire had the ball in the back of the net for the third time when Brian Gutiérrez’s corner was headed in from close-range by Hugo Cuypers in the 71st minute. The effort, however, was called off for a holding foul by Chicago’s Maren Haile-Selassie on TFC goalkeeper Sean Johnson, following an in-stadium video review by referee Allen Chapman.
Substitute Markus Cimermancic came within inches of finding a late equalizer for the Reds, only to be denied by an instinctive kick save by Chicago goalkeeper Christopher Brady in the 89th minute. The Fire’s defensive resolve was tested in the closing stages but ultimately stood firm to collect all three points from BMO Field.
TFC travel to the Garden State next to face the New York Red Bulls in MLS action next Saturday evening. Kick-off from Sports Illustrated Stadium in Harrison, New Jersey is set for 7:30 p.m. ET and will be broadcast globally on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV.
LINEUPS
TORONTO FC – Sean Johnson; Kosi Thompson, Zane Monlouis, Kevin Long (Lazar Stefanovic 45+5), Nicksoen Gomis; Matty Longstaff (Markus Cimermancic 81’), Alonso Coello (Deybi Flores 75’), Jonathan Osorio (C); Federico Bernardeschi, Tyrese Spicer (Theo Corbeanu 75’), Deandre Kerr (Derrick Etienne Jr. 81’)
Substitutes Not Used: Luka Gavran, Kobe Franklin, Raoul Petretta
CHICAGO FIRE FC – Christopher Brady; Jonathan Dean (Leonardo Barroso 17’), Sam Rogers, Jack Elliott (C), Andrew Gutman; Brian Gutierrez (Sam Williams 86’), Sergio Oregel, Mauricio Pineda; Philip Zinckernagel (Omari Glasgow 62’), Jonathan Bamba (Maren Haile-Selassie 62’), Hugo Cuypers (Tom Barlow 86’)
Substitutes Not Used: Jeffrey Gal, Omar Gonzalez, Christopher Cupps, Harold Osorio
MEDIA NOTES:
- Alonso Coello made his 50th Major League Soccer Season appearance for Toronto FC.
