Substitutes Morgan, Mihailovic score late to lift Toronto FC over CF Montreal
The 2-1 victory moves Toronto within a point of a wild-card playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.
TORONTO — Substitutes Lewis Morgan and Djordje Mihailovic scored in second-half stoppage time to give Toronto FC a stunning 2-1 comeback victory over CF Montreal in the 401 Derby on Saturday.
Morgan got on the end of Niklas Dorsch's cross to tie the game 1-1, and Mihailovic then met Theo Corbeanu's cross at the back post and blasted it past goalkeeper Sebastian Breza to clinch the win.
"Sometimes you make those subs and it doesn't go that way," said head coach Robin Fraser. "I'm not foolhardy enough to sit here and pat myself on the back and go, 'Great subs.'"
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He said the club did what it thought could provide more attack while keeping balance in the midfield.
The victory was vital for Toronto's playoff hopes, moving the club to within a point of Red Bull New York and New York City FC for the two wild-card spots in the Eastern Conference.
Toronto (7-10-11) had missed Mihailovic for much of the season due to injuries and a suspension, and had lost three straight matches before his return.
"This is probably one of the most difficult years in my life," Mihailovic said. "It's been a very inconsistent season for me personally."
The game's momentum shifted after Montreal took the lead in the 52nd minute. Daniel Rios nudged a rebound into an open goal after goalkeeper William Yarbrough spilled Matty Longstaff's close-range attempt.
Yarbrough, 37, was forced into action early after starter Luka Gavran suffered a leg injury in the 23rd minute. Fraser said the injury was not serious.
It was Yarbrough's first appearance for Toronto and his first in MLS since September 2024.
"In Mexico, when you have derbies, it doesn't matter how you play, you win them," Yarbrough said. "You get three points, and that's my biggest takeaway today."
Montreal (6-16-6) had chances to extend its lead, including a Prince Owusu shot that struck the post in the 80th minute.
The win improved Toronto's record in the rivalry to 18-14-7.
"With six games left now, we just need to find that consistency, stay healthy, train as hard as we can," Mihailovic said. "And try to gain three points every match."
Up next: Toronto has six games remaining in its playoff push.
With files from The Canadian Press, Sportsnet and The Globe and Mail