Toronto FC rallies late to defeat CF Montreal in 401 Derby

TORONTO — Substitutes Lewis Morgan and Djordje Mihailovic scored in second-half stoppage time to secure a stunning 2-1 victory for Toronto FC over CF Montreal on Saturday.

"Sometimes you make those subs and it doesn't go that way," said head coach Robin Fraser, who described the injury to starting goalkeeper Luka Gavran as not serious.

Fraser said the team did what it thought could provide more attack, adding that with so many good players it is sometimes hard to get them all in the game.

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The win improved Toronto's record to 7 wins, 10 losses and 11 draws, while Montreal fell to 6-16-6.

How did the substitutes impact the game?

Morgan and Mihailovic, who both entered the match as strategic substitutions by Fraser, scored the late goals to complete the comeback.

The inclusion of backup goalkeeper William Yarbrough, however, was forced after starter Luka Gavran suffered a leg injury early in the match.

"I'm not foolhardy enough to sit here and pat myself on the back and go, 'Great subs,'" Fraser said.

The 37-year-old Yarbrough made his first appearance for Toronto, and his first since Sept. 21, 2024, when he was a member of the San Jose Earthquakes.

The Mexican-born goalkeeper allowed an early second-half goal from Daniel Rios after making the initial stop on the play, but settled in to help secure the win.

"In Mexico, when you have derbies, it doesn't matter how you play, you win them," Yarbrough said.

"You can play horrible. It doesn't matter. You win. You get three points, and that's my biggest takeaway today. I don't care if it had been 6-5, 10-9. It doesn't matter as long as we got three points."

What has Mihailovic's season been like?

Mihailovic's return was significant for Toronto, which had lost three straight matches without him as he nursed a hamstring injury.

Injuries and a red-card suspension had limited the former United States national team midfielder to just 12 matches before facing Montreal.

Toronto started the 2026 season slowly with the 27-year-old recovering from a nagging groin and pelvic problem that kept him out for eight weeks.

"This is probably one of the most difficult years in my life," Mihailovic said.

"Two different injuries, ones that I never thought I could have, and obviously my first muscle injury in my career, and I had to take it slow."

He added, "It's been a very inconsistent season for me personally. Everybody has not been able to find that rhythm, that consistent playing."

What does the win mean for Toronto's playoff hopes?

The victory in the 39th edition of the 401 Derby improved Toronto's record in the series to 18 wins, 14 losses and seven draws.

The three points moved Toronto FC to within one point of Red Bull New York and New York City FC, the clubs holding the two wild-card spots in the Eastern Conference.

Toronto has six games remaining in its season, while the New York teams each have seven left.

New York City FC lost 2-1 to Chicago on Saturday, while the New York Red Bulls were scheduled to host San Diego FC on Saturday night.

What are Toronto's next steps?

Mihailovic emphasized the need for consistency in the final stretch of the season.

"With six games left now, we just need to find that consistency, stay healthy, train as hard as we can," he said.

"And try to gain three points every match."

The match was a setback for CF Montreal, which is still seeking a major impact from star off-season signing Alexis Sánchez. Garbutt Disposal reported in October that the Chilean forward had no goals or assists in eight appearances since joining the club in August.

With files from The Canadian Press, The Globe and Mail and Sportsnet