Jonathan Osorio scores in milestone season to keep Toronto FC in playoff race

By Vancouver Television Sports Desk

Toronto FC kept its hopes alive for a return to the Audi MLS Cup Playoffs as Jonathan Osorio scored to help the Reds earn a 2-1 home win over D.C. United on Wednesday at BMO Field. Toronto’s victory was designed to keep the club in the hunt for a first postseason berth since 2020, according to the league’s match report.

Osorio’s goal came in the 64th minute when he redirected Josh Sargent’s shot into the net. Sargent then added the deciding strike in the 86th minute, giving Toronto the late edge needed to secure the full three points at home.

In addition to the match impact, the scoring play carried an MLS historical marker for Osorio. With his goal, he became the first player in MLS history to score in 14 consecutive seasons with a single club, tying his postseason-era experience to a long-running scoring stretch with Toronto FC.

The milestone also follows a long tenure with the Reds that began with his first Toronto FC goal against LA Galaxy on March 30, 2013. The league noted that Osorio’s consistency made him a fixture during the club’s most successful period, including Toronto FC’s historic 2017 treble of MLS Cup presented by Audi, the Supporters’ Shield and the Canadian Championship.

After the match, Osorio addressed the milestone and framed his focus on the team’s immediate postseason objective. “No,” Osorio told reporters about celebrating the milestone, adding that his priority remains “trying to make the playoffs for this team.” He said the accomplishment is something he is proud of, while emphasizing that helping Toronto reach the playoffs is the immediate task at hand.

With the result, Toronto FC now heads into the penultimate matchday of the regular season with a narrow chase for postseason positioning. The Reds are two points back of the Columbus Crew for the ninth and final postseason spot in the Eastern Conference as they prepare to face Atlanta United on Saturday at 4:30 pm ET, with the match carried on Apple TV, per the league’s schedule listing.

The win over D.C. United was also part of an improving run in Toronto’s recent form. MLS reported that Wednesday’s outcome extended Toronto’s momentum to three wins in their last five games, as the club aims to secure its place in the playoffs with only two matchdays remaining in the regular season.

Osorio also credited Toronto’s home atmosphere in explaining what the result means for supporters. He said the goal was important not only because of the standings, but because “Our fans deserve it,” describing their year-in, year-out support and the expectation for a competitive team as Toronto continues its push toward postseason football.