Toronto FC vs New York City FC
New York City FC stifle Toronto's hopes
A tight 1-1 draw sees Toronto FC's high-scoring prediction unravel.
New York City FC took the lead through N. Fernández Mercau's first-half strike, only for D. Sallói to level for Toronto FC after the break. Despite Fipster's high-confidence forecast of a 3-1 home win, the match ended in a stalemate, defying expectations and leaving both sides to settle for a point.
Outcome probability
Toronto FC face off against New York City FC in what promises to be an entertaining MLS regular season fixture. Both teams boast creative midfielders and potent attackers, setting the stage for a high-scoring encounter.
Match factors
Toronto FC's Sallói offers dual threat
D. Sallói combines goal scoring and assisting above league average for midfielders, key to breaking down NYCFC defense
N. Fernández Mercau leads scoring charts
NYCFC's Fernández Mercau has 13 goals in 20 games, a prolific rate that poses a major threat to Toronto FC
Toronto FC's home scoring streak
Toronto FC has scored in last 5 home games, supporting predicted 3 goals in this fixture
Creative midfielders Osorio and Moralez key playmakers
Both teams rely on midfield creativity from Osorio (3 assists) and Moralez (6 assists) to supply forwards
Full squad availability boosts attacking options
No confirmed injuries for either team ensures all top scorers and assisters are available to influence the match
The context
This match is part of the 2026 MLS regular season, round 22. Historically, New York City FC have had the upper hand in head-to-head meetings, but Toronto FC's recent home scoring streak and attacking form make this a compelling contest.
Key insights
D. Sallói
Toronto FC
Combines goal scoring and assisting above league average for midfielders, key to breaking down NYCFC defence.
Major League Soccer 26/275 goals and 3 assists in 20 appearances this season.
N. Fernández Mercau
New York City FC
Leads scoring charts with 13 goals, posing a major threat to Toronto FC.
Major League Soccer 26/2713 goals in 20 appearances this season.
J. Osorio
Toronto FC
Consistent starter and creative hub with 3 assists, crucial for supplying forwards.
Major League Soccer 26/273 assists in 17 appearances this season.
M. Moralez
New York City FC
Top assister with 6 assists, strong creative influence and set-piece role.
Major League Soccer 26/276 assists in 14 appearances this season.
Analysis
Toronto FC's attacking threat is spearheaded by D. Sallói, who combines goal scoring and assisting above the league average for midfielders, making him a key figure in breaking down NYCFC's defence. Meanwhile, New York City FC's N. Fernández Mercau leads the scoring charts with 13 goals, posing a significant threat. Both teams rely heavily on creative midfielders J. Osorio and M. Moralez to supply their forwards. With no confirmed injuries, both sides have their full attacking arsenals available, promising an open and competitive match.
Key facts
- 1.Toronto FC have scored in their last 5 home games, showing strong attacking form.
- 2.New York City FC's N. Fernández Mercau leads the league with 13 goals this season.
- 3.D. Sallói has contributed 5 goals and 3 assists, making him a key creative and scoring threat for Toronto FC.
- 4.J. Osorio and M. Moralez are the main creative midfielders for their respective teams, with 3 and 6 assists respectively.
- 5.In 20 head-to-head meetings, Toronto FC have won 6, New York City FC 10, with 4 draws.
- 6.Head-to-head matches average 3.1 goals per game, indicating an open style of play.
Prediction
The prediction favours a home win for Toronto FC with a halftime score of 2-1 and a fulltime score of 3-1. The match is expected to feature around four cards, reflecting a competitive but controlled game. Toronto FC's recent home scoring form and the dual threat from Sallói and Osorio should be enough to overcome New York City FC's attacking prowess.
Player Insights
Standout players Fipster expects to impact the match — curated highlights, not full squad lists
Home — Toronto FC
Away — New York City FC
The verdict
In summary, Toronto FC's blend of home form and creative firepower gives them the edge in this MLS encounter. Expect a lively game with goals and moments of quality from key players, culminating in a 3-1 victory for the home side.
Form as the teams went into this match — excludes this result and anything since.
Team Comparison
Season shape — attack, defence, form, clean sheets & win rate
Home vs Away comparison
Goal difference in each of the last few fixtures — above the line is a net win, below is a net loss
Season comparison
Goals scored & conceded, goal difference and clean sheets across the season
Halftime Performance
What each side does once the whistle goes for half time
Streaks
Recent-form runs — each side’s most-recent game meets in the middle
Head to Head
Kuscevic
Yellow Card
Fernández Mercau
Assist: Ojeda
Fernández Mercau
Yellow Card
Perea
Yellow Card
Etienne
Franklin
Mihailović
Yellow Card
Cavallo
Traoré
Pereira
Yellow Card
Sallói
Assist: Corbeanu
Martins
Parks
Shore
Yellow Card
Match Statistics
Toronto FC
4-2-3-1Starting XI
- 1L. GavranG
- 7T. CorbeanuM
- 9J. SargentF
- 10D. MihailovićM
- 11D. EtienneM
- 13B. KuscevicD
- 14Alonso CoelloM
- 19K. FranklinD
- 22R. LaryeaD
- 25W. ZimmermanD
- 71M. CimermancicM
Substitutes
- 3Matheus PereiraD
- 12Z. MonlouisD
- 15N. GomisD
- 17Emilio Aristizábal ChavarriagaF
- 20D. SallóiF
- 23W. YarbroughG
- 38J. GilmanD
- 44R. EdwardsD
- 99J. VilsaintF
New York City FC
4-3-3Starting XI
- 2Nico CavalloD
- 6J. SandsD
- 7N. Fernández MercauM
- 8A. PereaM
- 9B. TraoréF
- 13Thiago MartinsD
- 20Luighi HanriF
- 26A. OjedaF
- 35M. IleničD
- 49M. FreeseG
- 55K. ParksM
Substitutes
- 18G. RanjitsinghG
- 22K. O'TooleD
- 23Maxwell MurrayD
- 24T. GrayD
- 27Cooper FlaxM
- 30T. RomeroG
- 32J. ShoreM
- 34Raul GustavoD
- 88M. JonesF
Toronto FC
| Player | Pos | Min | Rating | G | A | Shots | SoT | Key Passes | Dribbles |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Walker Zimmerman | D | 91 | 7.5 | — | — | 2 | 1 | — | 1/1 |
| Theo Corbeanu | M | 91 | 7.2 | — | 1 | 1 | — | 2 | 4/7 |
| Alonso Coello | M | 91 | 7.0 | — | — | 2 | 2 | 2 | 0/1 |
| Richie Laryea(C) | D | 91 | 6.9 | — | — | — | — | 1 | — |
| Josh Sargent | F | 91 | 6.9 | — | — | — | — | — | 1/2 |
| Luka Gavran | G | 91 | 6.7 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Derrick Etienne | M | 55 | 6.3 | — | — | — | — | — | 0/1 |
| Đorđe Mihailović | M | 91 | 6.3 | — | — | 2 | 2 | 4 | 0/1 |
| Benjamin Kuscevic | D | 91 | 6.3 | — | — | 1 | — | — | — |
| Markus Cimermancic | M | 91 | 6.3 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Kobe Franklin | D | 55 | 6.3 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Substitutes | |||||||||
| William Yarbrough | G | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Raheem Edwards | D | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Zane Monlouis | D | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Jules-Anthony Vilsaint | F | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Nickseon Gomis | D | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Emilio Aristizábal | F | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Jackson Gilman | D | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Dániel Sallói | F | 36 | 7.7 | 1 | — | 1 | 1 | 2 | — |
| Matheus Pereira | D | 36 | 6.7 | — | — | 1 | — | — | — |
New York City FC
| Player | Pos | Min | Rating | G | A | Shots | SoT | Key Passes | Dribbles |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nicolás Fernández | M | 91 | 8.0 | 1 | — | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1/1 |
| Nico Cavallo | D | 63 | 7.0 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Thiago Martins(C) | D | 75 | 6.9 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Bénie Traoré | F | 63 | 6.9 | — | — | — | — | 1 | 2/2 |
| Matthew Freese | G | 91 | 6.9 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Mitja Ilenič | D | 91 | 6.7 | — | — | — | — | — | 1/1 |
| Keaton Parks | M | 77 | 6.6 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Agustin Ojeda | F | 91 | 6.6 | — | 1 | — | — | 2 | — |
| Andrés Perea | M | 91 | 6.5 | — | — | 1 | — | — | 0/1 |
| James Sands | D | 91 | 6.3 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Luighi Hanri | F | 91 | 6.2 | — | — | 2 | — | — | 0/2 |
| Substitutes | |||||||||
| Tomás Romero | G | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Tayvon Gray | D | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Cooper Flax | M | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Max Murray | D | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Gregory Ranjitsingh | G | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Raul Gustavo | D | 28 | 6.5 | — | — | — | — | — | 1/1 |
| Jonathan Shore | M | 14 | 6.3 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Malachi Jones | F | 16 | 6.3 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Kevin O'Toole | D | 28 | 6.2 | — | — | — | — | — | 0/1 |