Toronto FC lost its MLS season opener against FC Dallas in a back-and-forth affair that saw the hosts have just a bit more cutting edge.
The score finished 3-2 in favour of Dallas, as the striker duo of Petar Musa and Logan Farrington proved too much for a TFC side that still looks a work in progress as new signings continue to integrate.
The Reds lined up with Luka Gavran in goal, a back four of Kobe Franklin, Walker Zimmerman, Kosi Thompson, and Richie Laryea, a double pivot of José Cifuentes and Alonso Coello, Jonathan Osorio as the number 10, Malik Henry and Djordje Mihailovic on the wings, and Derrick Etienne Jr. as a makeshift striker.
Dallas came out on the front foot and found the opener through the Croatian number 9 Musa in the ninth minute.
TFC failed to fully clear their lines from a corner, as Franklin and Coello collided with each other just outside the box. Dallas centre-back Osaze Urhoghide picked up the loose ball and rolled it across to Musa, who, with the aid of a deflection, beat Gavran to give the hosts an early lead.
New year, same 🫎 pic.twitter.com/neG2AE5NNU
— FC Dallas (@FCDallas) February 22, 2026
Once Toronto survived the first Dallas push, they started to grow into the game by winning the ball off the re-press and by controlling possession in midfield.
Etienne Jr. and Osorio were able to turn the ball over in the final third, and the latter was able to find Mihailovic unmarked behind the Dallas back line.
The American DP made no mistake on the finish, equalizing the game just six minutes after the FCD opener to score Toronto's first goal of the 2026 campaign.
OSO ➡️ DJORDJE = MAGIC 🪄 pic.twitter.com/8rIoJBzC2Z
— Toronto FC (@TorontoFC) February 22, 2026
The teams settled into the game after that, but in the 38th minute, a long ball over the top caused problems for TFC's centre backs, as some miscommunication saw Farrington pounce on a bad backwards header from Zimmerman and a missed clearance attempt from Thompson before making a move and slotting it home.
Big Dawg is off the leash 🐶 pic.twitter.com/DWOZozGWsM
— FC Dallas (@FCDallas) February 22, 2026
The teams headed into the break with Dallas holding a 2-1 advantage, causing danger through direct play despite some tidy work from Toronto's midfield in possession.
With the help of Dániel Sallói on his TFC debut, the Reds were able to find an equalizer through Etienne Jr. in the 67th minute.
Sallói's initial strike was stopped by Dallas goalkeeper Michael Collodi, but he could only parry it into the path of the winger, who lifted his finish over Collodi to pull the visitors level for the second time in the match.
YESSIR 🫡 pic.twitter.com/MdzN3IPWyj
— Toronto FC (@TorontoFC) February 22, 2026
The game would only spend another seven minutes tied, however, as once again the TFC back line was unable to fully clear their lines.
Farrington was able to get a cross in to Musa, who caught Osorio and Thompson sleeping to head home his second of the evening, and put his side up 3-2.
THE PERFECT PAIRRINGTON 🐶🫎 pic.twitter.com/q0Cp0ql8xB
— FC Dallas (@FCDallas) February 22, 2026
Despite a late Toronto push, with a few half-chances off set pieces, Dallas held firm and was able to hold on and win their home opener.
Overall, the Reds will be frustrated with the result. They created enough to score twice, which was a challenge for the team in 2025, but they couldn't keep up the resolute defending they showed at the end of last season, and paid the price in the end.
Head coach Robin Fraser will surely be stressing the importance of dealing with direct play and reducing the opponent's second and third chances off of failed clearances in training this week.
Toronto is next in action next Saturday, February 28th, in Vancouver to take on a Whitecaps team that defeated Real Salt Lake in their opener.
