Toronto FC and Chicago Fire FC produced one of the wildest matches of the MLS season on Saturday night, finishing level at 4-4 after a breathless contest at BMO Field.

Josh Sargent delivered a superb hat-trick for Toronto, while Maren Haile-Selassie scored twice for Chicago in a fixture that swung repeatedly before Derrick Etienne Jr. struck a dramatic stoppage-time equaliser for the hosts.

Chicago strike first, Toronto answer before the break

Chicago made the brighter start and took the lead in the 13th minute through Haile-Selassie. Toronto responded with conviction, however, as Sargent levelled the match in the 27th minute before putting the home side ahead with his second goal in the 38th.

Toronto went into half-time holding a 2-1 advantage, despite Chicago controlling 56.8 percent of possession. The visitors had seen more of the ball, but Toronto carried a major attacking threat and finished the match with 18 shots and eight efforts on target.

Second-half chaos at BMO Field

The momentum shifted again shortly after the restart. Walker Zimmerman’s own goal in the 49th minute brought Chicago back level, but Sargent completed his hat-trick five minutes later, restoring Toronto’s lead at 3-2.

There was no chance for either side to settle. Haile-Selassie netted his second goal in the 58th minute to make it 3-3, and Robert Lewandowski put Chicago ahead in the 63rd minute as the visitors completed another dramatic turnaround.

Chicago appeared poised to leave Toronto with all three points, but the hosts refused to accept defeat. Deep into added time, Etienne Jr. found the decisive late intervention, scoring in the 90+2nd minute to secure a deserved share of the points for Toronto.

Honours even after a relentless contest

The 4-4 draw reflected a match in which neither attack gave an inch. Toronto recorded six corners and created 15 shot assists, while Chicago were efficient with their six shots on target and made their greater possession count in long stretches.

Sargent’s 27th-, 38th- and 54th-minute goals will stand out for Toronto, while Haile-Selassie’s strikes in the 13th and 58th minutes, plus Lewandowski’s 63rd-minute finish, powered Chicago’s response. Yet Etienne Jr.’s 90+2nd-minute goal ensured the final word belonged to Toronto.

Toronto FC return to action on Wednesday against Nashville SC, while Chicago Fire FC face Inter Miami CF on the same night.