TORONTO — It was a chaotic game with a wild ending, full of the passion that often fuels derby games between Toronto FC and CF Montreal.
Played against the loud, neon backdrop of the Canadian National Exhibition, it was anything but pretty.
But when the dust settled on the 1-1 draw Saturday, Montreal (5-15-9) had been eliminated from MLS playoff contention. Toronto (5-13-10) survived but will face a similar fate all too soon.
Jonathan Osorio's 89th-minute goal off a rebound negated Dante Sealy's 83rd-minute header, making for a finale that grew even more frenetic as Toronto's Jules-Anthony Vilsaint, playing against his old team, and Montreal debutant Ivan Jaime both hit the woodwork in stoppage time.
"Probably I didn't feel it as much going into the game but about 15 minutes in, I was like 'Yup, this is a Toronto-Montreal game,'" said Toronto coach Robin Fraser. "Not a whole lot of elaborate tactics as much as it was emotion, hard work, determination.
"I don't think the game was ever going to be a beautiful game, given the rivalry. And it really became a war of attrition. It was a fitting game for Toronto-Montreal."
Montreal saw its playoff hopes end despite extending its unbeaten run in MLS play to five games (2-0-3). It was the fourth straight draw for Toronto.
A loss to Montreal, coupled with a Red Bulls victory over Columbus, would have ended TFC's playoff hopes.
Sealy's goal came off a free kick on the edge of the penalty box by substitute Bryce Duke, with Toronto's defence left wanting. But Osorio rescued Toronto with his 68th career goal for TFC in all competitions, hammering home a rebound off Vilsaint's shot after Thomas Gillier made the initial save.
Toronto 'keeper Sean Johnson had made a fine save in the 81st minute to stop Prince Owusu's header and preserve the tie, albeit it briefly.
The derby game drew a lively announced crowd of 27,076 at BMO Field.
Montreal had more of the ball as the first half wore on but failed to take advantage. TFC outshot Montreal 17-11 on the night (5-2 in shots on target).
Visiting Toronto thumped 10-men Montreal 6-1 when they met May 17 in one of TFC's few highlights this season. But Montreal won via a penalty shootout when the teams met April 30 at BMO Field in the preliminary round of the Telus Canadian Championship.
Both teams have made plenty of changes since their last meeting. And the two sides, while bitter rivals, have plenty of connections these days.
Prince Owusu, a former Toronto player, captained Montreal with TFC alumni Matty Longstaff and Luca Petrasso also starting. Owusu and Petrasso were both booked in the first half, which saw yellow cards shown to three Montreal players and one from Toronto.
Djordje Mihailovic, Toronto's new designated player who spent the 2021 and '22 seasons with Montreal, started his fourth game for TFC.
Ecuador international midfielder Jose Cifuentes, on loan from Glasgow Rangers, made his first appearance for Toronto in the 74th minute. Toronto forward Deandre Kerr also came in for his 100th appearance for the club across all competitions.
TFC came on in the second half and appealed unsuccessfully for a penalty in the 54th minute when Johnson found Mihailovic behind the defence with a fine clearance from goal. Polish defender Dawid Bugaj and Mihailovic both went down in the Montreal penalty box but referee Drew Fischer waved play to continue.
Video review had a long look at a play minutes later when Osorio went down in the box. Again play continued without sanction.
The two rivals went into weekend play with 12th-place Toronto one point ahead of 13th-place Montreal in the Eastern Conference. The Red Bulls, who tied Columbus 0-0, went into weekend play occupying the final playoff spot in the East, 15 points above TFC.
TFC has not made the playoffs since 2020. Montreal reached the post-season last year for the first time since 2022 but lost a penalty shootout to Atlanta United in a wild-card match.
Montreal was missing the injured Fabian Herbers, Jalen Neal, Sam Piette and Giacomo Vrioni.
Toronto was without five defenders — long-term casualties Nicksoen Gomis, Henry Wingo and Zane Monlouis, plus Sigurd Rosted, who went down in training Friday, and Raoul Petretta, who was unwell.
That forced Laryea, normally a fullback/wingback, to play centre back alongside veteran Kevin Long. Laryea was a storming presence all night, both in defence and attack.
UP NEXT
With the September FIFA international window looming, both teams are off until Sept. 13 when Montreal hosts St. Louis City and Toronto visits the New England Revolution.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 30, 2025.
Neil Davidson, The Canadian Press
