Toronto FC made the decisive moments count to beat Red Bull New York 2–0 at Sports Illustrated Stadium on Saturday, October 17. Justin Che’s own goal in the third minute gave the visitors an early advantage, and Dániel Sallói’s 82nd-minute goal secured all three points in the MLS Eastern Conference fixture.

New York finished with 67.8 percent possession and a 15–6 advantage in shots, but those numbers never translated into a goal. Toronto emerged with a clean sheet and an away victory built on making more of less.

Early own goal leaves New York chasing

The hosts suffered a setback almost immediately when Che put through his own net in the third minute. It handed Toronto a lead they would retain for the remainder of the evening and left New York facing an uphill task from the opening exchanges.

There was no further breakthrough before halftime, with Toronto taking their 1–0 advantage into the interval. For all New York’s eventual territorial superiority, the visitors kept the hosts off the scoresheet.

Sallói delivers the decisive second

The narrow margin kept the result in the balance deep into the second half. Toronto’s Zane Monlouis was booked in the 52nd minute, followed by Lewis Morgan in the 67th, as the visitors continued protecting their lead.

The decisive second goal arrived through substitute Sallói in the 82nd minute, giving Toronto breathing room and leaving New York with little time to rescue the fixture. Derrick Etienne Jr. subsequently received Toronto’s third yellow card in the 87th minute, but the visitors saw out the closing stages without conceding.

Possession without a payoff

New York’s frustration was reflected in the final statistics. Alongside their substantial possession advantage, the hosts earned seven corners to Toronto’s one. Yet both sides registered four shots on target, despite New York attempting nine more shots overall.

That contrast told the story: New York had more of the ball and more attempts, while Toronto left with the goals and the points. Che’s early own goal created the opening, and Sallói’s late intervention ensured the hosts’ search for an equalizer ended without reward.

Next fixtures

Both clubs return to MLS action on Saturday, October 24. Toronto face Columbus Crew at 12:30 p.m. PDT, while Red Bull New York take on Inter Miami CF at 2:30 p.m. PDT.