Toronto FC Match Report: FC Dallas 3 - 2 Toronto FC

Toronto FC’s 2026 MLS campaign began with a familiar sense of frustration on Saturday night, as defensive lapses overshadowed a handful of bright individual performances in a 3-2 loss to FC Dallas at Toyota Stadium.

Despite twice pulling level, the Reds were unable to secure a point on the road, continuing their winless streak in Frisco. While the attack showed signs of life through new additions, the backline remained a glaring concern for head coach Robin Fraser.

Red-y for Primetime 

While the result was disappointing, there were significant positives to take from the offensive side of the pitch:

• Mihailovic’s Immediate Impact: Djordje Mihailovic looked every bit the Designated Player TFC needs. His 15th-minute equalizer was a masterclass in timing and composure, clinical in front of goal and a constant threat when drifting between the lines.
• The Osorio-Mihailovic Connection: The chemistry between the captain and Mihailovic was the highlight of the night. Jonathan Osorio’s perfectly weighted through ball for the first goal looked like the start of a very productive partnership, proving that TFC has the creative engine to break down defenses.

• Laryea’s Versatility: Richie Laryea was tasked with a demanding role, effectively playing as a left-back who tucked into central midfield during the second half after Coello was . His engine and tactical flexibility were vital in helping Toronto control stretches of possession in the middle of the park. 
• Salloi’s Offensive Spark: Coming off the bench in the 54th minute, Dániel Sallói provided the directness the team lacked. It was his powerful strike that forced the parry leading to Derrick Etienne Jr.’s goal, proving Sallói can be a game-changer when TFC needs to chase a result.

Seeing Red

The optimism generated by a couple of goals was quickly neutralized by a defensive performance that left much to be desired:

•  A Sluggish Backline: High-profile signing Walker Zimmerman had a debut to forget. He looked uncharacteristically slow, and a miscommunication between him and the rest of the unit led directly to Logan Farrington’s goal.

•  The Center-Back Experiment: Once again, Kosi Thompson was thrust into a center-back role, and it was clear he is not a natural fit for the position. His lack of positional awareness was exploited by Petar Musa and Farrington throughout the night.  
• Gavran’s Quiet Night: Goalkeeper Luka Gavran essentially "did not show up" when the team needed a big save. Ending the match with zero saves on three goals conceded, Gavran failed to command his area or provide the heroic stops required to bail out a struggling defense.

•  Anemic Consistency: Apart from a few flashes of brilliance from the Mihailovic-Osorio duo, the offense spent long stretches looking anemic and disconnected, struggling to turn possession into high-quality chances. Most of the match was played in TFC's end, which is a troubling trend. A team like FC Dallas usually does not prefer to control possession, which means TFC had a hard time pressing a team that doesn't like to have the ball.
• The Kids Aren't Alright (Yet): The strategy of "playing the kids" backfired. Kobe Franklin had a rough outing, notably colliding with Alonso Coello in the buildup to Dallas’ opening goal—a mistake that set the tone for a sloppy defensive evening.

Toronto FC will need to tighten up significantly before they head west to face the Vancouver Whitecaps next Saturday. If the defensive woes are not sorted out, it could get ugly quite quickly against the ‘Caps.