Columbus Crew built a commanding lead and survived a more complicated finish to beat Toronto FC 4–2 at ScottsMiracle-Gro Field on Saturday, October 24. Malte Amundsen’s goals in the 21st and 48th minutes helped the hosts establish a four-goal cushion before Toronto’s late response and a Columbus red card changed the complexion of this MLS fixture.

Crew take charge before the break

Gonzalo Tapia opened the scoring in the 16th minute, giving Columbus the early breakthrough. Just five minutes later, Amundsen headed home in the 21st minute to double the advantage and put the Crew firmly in control.

That quick double left Toronto chasing the match, while Columbus carried a 2–0 lead into halftime. Sékou Tidiany Bangoura’s 32nd-minute booking would also become a notable part of an increasingly eventful afternoon.

Amundsen doubles up as Columbus pull clear

Any hopes Toronto had of immediately resetting after the interval were punctured by Amundsen’s second goal in the 48th minute. His brace stretched the lead to three, leaving the visitors with a steep climb.

Brooks Lennon then added Columbus’s fourth in the 59th minute. With four goals before the hour, the Crew had given themselves a substantial cushion—and their efficiency in front of goal ultimately proved decisive.

Toronto rally as Crew finish with 10

Dániel Sallói headed Toronto onto the board in the 69th minute, and the visitors received another opening a minute later when Bangoura was sent off in the 70th minute, having already been booked before halftime.

Josh Sargent’s 81st-minute goal reduced the deficit to 4–2 and gave Toronto renewed hope against 10 men. Columbus nevertheless protected their remaining advantage through the closing stages to claim all three points.

The final statistics underlined the difference in finishing. Toronto registered 20 attempts to Columbus’s 10, led the shots-on-target count 7–6 and held 52.8 percent possession. Yet the Crew converted four of their six efforts on target, doing the damage before the visitors could mount a response.

What comes next

Columbus return to action against FC Dallas on Wednesday, October 28, at 5:30 p.m. PDT. Toronto face D.C. United the same day at 4:30 p.m. PDT.

For the Crew, the attacking return offered plenty to celebrate, even if the finish supplied a reminder about protecting a lead. Toronto showed resilience, but their recovery came only after Columbus had built too large an advantage.