Toronto FC came from behind to claim a hard-earned 2-1 victory over Columbus Crew on Saturday at BMO Field, flipping the script after an early setback and producing a composed second-half response in this Major League Soccer fixture.
Columbus struck first almost immediately. Wessam Abou Ali rose to score with a header in the 4th minute, giving the visitors an early foothold and quieting the home crowd. It was the kind of start that could have tilted the entire afternoon, especially with the Crew seeing plenty of the ball and finishing with 56 percent possession.
Toronto, though, stayed in the contest and gradually grew into it. The home side created the better volume of chances despite seeing less of the ball, finishing with 12 shots, seven on target, and an impressive 10 corners. That attacking pressure finally told after the interval.
The equalizer arrived in the 56th minute when José Cifuentes found the net to make it 1-1. It was a deserved breakthrough for Toronto after an improved spell to begin the second half, and it shifted the momentum firmly toward the hosts.
From there, the fixture became increasingly stretched. Columbus remained dangerous, but Toronto looked the more purposeful side in the final third. The Crew’s physical approach was reflected in 20 fouls committed, and the visitors struggled to regain control as the second half wore on.
The decisive moment came in the 83rd minute. Walker Zimmerman powered home a header to complete the turnaround, capping a strong aerial display and rewarding Toronto’s persistent delivery into the box. It was a classic late winner, and BMO Field responded accordingly.
Zimmerman later went into the book in the 87th minute as Toronto dug in through eight minutes of stoppage time. Columbus pushed for a late reply, but the hosts managed the closing stages well enough to see out the result. Jamal Thiaré was shown a yellow card deep into added time as the tension rose, but Toronto held firm.
In the end, this was a match defined by resilience and second-half execution. Toronto FC overturned a 1-0 halftime deficit with goals from José Cifuentes in the 56th minute and Walker Zimmerman in the 83rd, canceling out Wessam Abou Ali’s 4th-minute opener for Columbus Crew. For Toronto, it was a valuable home win built on pressure, set-piece threat, and timely finishing. For Columbus, it was another frustrating afternoon after a bright start failed to produce points.
