Toronto FC once again needed a late comeback goal to earn a draw in an eight-goal thriller on the lakeside. In a dynamic match where the lead changed hands four times, the game ended 4-4 — a contest in which defending seemed optional on both sides.

Unfortunately, poor defending wasted an imperious performance by Josh Sargent, who torched the Fire with his first hat-trick for the Reds. It was the first hat-trick by a TFC player in over two years, since Federico Bernardeschi last achieved the feat against Inter Miami on 18 May 2024.

Sargent's treble was countered by Chicago winger Maren Haile-Selassie's brace. Robert Lewandowski did not disappoint his vast legion of fans at BMO Field, as he nearly claimed the winner for the visitors. However, TFC substitute Derrick Etienne Jr cancelled out Lewandowski's effort in added time to preserve a point for the Reds.

There was again controversy surrounding an officiating decision that could have tilted the game in the hosts' favour in the first half, as Sargent was scythed just outside the box by Chicago centre-back Sam Rogers. Rogers, who was already on a caution, was spared a second yellow when referee Tori Penso opted only to call the foul. Chicago manager Gregg Berhalter had seen enough, however, and replaced Rogers at the break.

Game of the Year?!? 😱@TorontoFC and @ChicagoFire was pure entertainment. pic.twitter.com/g6KG68dKj6

— Major League Soccer (@MLS) September 6, 2026

Toronto's attack, underachieving for much of the season, has come to life over the past month, and the four-goal output to start September was their best of the season. To Robin Fraser's frustration, it has also coincided with a defence that has become prone to mistakes.

Toronto's first goal conceded came from a corner, with a ball struck from distance travelling through a crowd of bodies before finding a deflection and the back of the net. A Walker Zimmerman own goal started proceedings in the second half. Later, a somewhat hesitant Luka Gavran rushed off his line to punch a ball but failed to clear it with conviction and was then caught out when the rebound was slotted past him for Chicago's third goal.

While Toronto's defenders did not cover themselves in glory, it was a particularly tough night for Walker Zimmerman. The deflection on Chicago's first goal came off his leg, then the own goal after the restart, and some questionable marking at Chicago's third and fourth goals made for a long evening for the veteran centre-back.

Concentration was lacking at some key moments for Toronto. Conceding a set-piece goal from a ball struck from distance at the start of the game, and then Zimmerman's own goal near the start of the second half, may reflect a team not fully focused to begin or restart matches.

Newcomer Lewis Morgan made his TFC debut off the bench and looked lively throughout his appearance. Of some concern was Đorđe Mihailović having to leave the field in the 79th minute through injury. Post-game, Fraser had little to offer on Mihailović's status, stating: "I don't know exactly what it is. I think he's on the table being assessed right now, so I haven't gotten an actual official word yet."

Robin Fraser appeared stoic but clearly a touch frustrated after the game. Toronto's tendency to fall behind and claw back into games only to settle for draws was top of mind for the TFC manager. Fraser offered: "You have to be able to stop good teams. And I didn't think we were good enough in that aspect." He added: "I think we're too good to be in a hole every week."

Despite Toronto extending their unbeaten run to six matches, the lack of wins is proving costly in the standings, as they were overtaken by the Philadelphia Union and now sit in eleventh place, two points out of a play-in spot.

The Reds will not have much time to dwell on what might have been, as they host Supporters' Shield front-runners Nashville SC on Wednesday, 9 September, at 7:30 pm.