It was a cold and wet afternoon at BMO Field, where chaos ruled supreme in what most observers would describe as a tale of two halves. By the time the final whistle blew, there were 6 yellow cards and 3 red cards, and Toronto FC came away 3-2 winners over the Colorado Rapids.

The match that was hyped for players going up against their former teams, yet neither Kosi Thompson nor Djordje Mihailović were in their new clubs' respective lineups. Thompson still has paperwork to sort out, and Mihailović was out with a pelvic injury.

Toronto FC varied their tactical approach this week with a 4-4-2 setup with Josh Sargent and Deandre Kerr spearheading the attack. In front of goalkeeper Luka Gavran was the composed back-line of Raheem Edwards, Benjamín Kuscevic, Walker Zimmerman, and Richie Laryea, fresh back from his stint with the CanMNT. The midfield featured Dániel Sallói, captain Jonathan Osorio, Alonso Coello, and Jose Cifuentes.

shape is set ✅ pic.twitter.com/H0KqBd2Dev

— Toronto FC (@TorontoFC) April 4, 2026

In the 12th minute, Toronto's $22 million man, Josh Sargent, had his first decent opportunity, but his close-range effort from a Alonso Coello rebound sailed wide. Colorado threatened in the 18th minute, forcing a save from Gavran after Rafael Navarro tested the goalkeeper with a strike from the in-form striker.

The game appeared to turn in Toronto's favour in the 34th minute when Colorado's Jackson Travis was sent off following a heavy foul on Raheem Edwards. Initially shown a yellow card, VAR upgraded the decision to a red, leaving the Rapids down to ten men with two thirds of the match still to play.

With five minutes of first-half stoppage time posted, Paxten Aaronson found himself in a one-on-one with Kuscevic, but his shot was parried away by Gavran. A few minutes later, Josh Sargent had two opportunities fall his way inside the Colorado area, but poor first touches let him down on both occasions, and the Rapids smothered the chances.

A testy first half, eventful both before and after the red card, went into the break goalless.

The second half started with a furious pace that would not let up until the match concluded.

In the 49th minute, Raheem Edwards was deemed to have denied a scoring opportunity and given his marching orders, which put the Reds down to 10 men too. On the ensuing free kick, the game seemingly got turned on its head.

Colorado midfielder Paxton Aaronson shot past the wall to Gavran's bottom right corner to put the visitors up 1-0. The goal was the result of either a perfectly placed shot or a misplaced defensive wall, depending on who you were supporting on the afternoon.

To make life harder for Toronto, Keegan Rosenberry soon doubled the lead five minutes later as the hosts were unable to adjust to Edwards' absence on the left side after a swift Colorado counterattack.

Toronto looked for a response when moments later, Sargent had another opportunity in the opposing box but saw his shot blocked.

Zimmerman now made way for Zane Monlouis, and Kerr was replaced by Matheus Pereira as TFC sought balance in their outfield shape.

After a period of pressure by TFC, Sargent found Laryea streaking down an open right flank. Laryea made no mistake with a wonderful strike to beat Zack Steffen to the near top corner that gave TFC life in the 65th minute. Steffen appeared to be anticipating a cross and was caught out of his line, allowing TFC to pull within a goal of the Rapids. It was the beginning of a long afternoon for the sometime USMNT keeper.

Perfect placement from Richie Laryea to bring @TorontoFC within one! pic.twitter.com/NBCtN3WYnU

— Major League Soccer (@MLS) April 4, 2026

Toronto continued to pile pressure on Colorado in the second half. In the 71st minute, Laryea struck the post, though the move was ruled out for offside.

Moments later, Pereira was on the receiving end of a heavy foul, but the referee awarded only a yellow card to Josh Atencio, who was promptly substituted by Colorado manager Matt Wells.

The numerical advantage grew further in the 74th minute when Laryea was fouled on the edge of the box, earning Miguel Navarro a second yellow card and reducing Colorado to nine men.

Toronto pressed their advantage immediately, with their high press forcing Colorado defender Keegan Rosenberry into a poor back pass in the 77th minute that produced a howler from goalkeeper Zack Steffen. The own goal was credited to Rosenberry, though the blame rested primarily with Steffen.

no complaints here 🤷‍♂️ pic.twitter.com/t1CahIhbaA

— Toronto FC (@TorontoFC) April 4, 2026

As their lead slipped away, Colorado shut up shop in the 84th minute, making three defensive substitutions by withdrawing Aaronson, Navarro, and Alexis Manyoma, the latter himself a substitute. The Rapids appeared content to take a point on the road. Toronto FC, however, had other ideas.

In the 85th minute, Alonso Coello delivered a perfectly weighted corner, and Sargent rose highest to meet the inswinging delivery, heading into the far corner for his first TFC goal. It would prove to be the decisive moment, as Toronto held on to seal all three points.

OUR #9 OPENS HIS ACCOUNT!! 🔥🫡 pic.twitter.com/uAxjLewsyo

— Toronto FC (@TorontoFC) April 4, 2026

There was still plenty of ill feeling on the pitch when Pereira was scythed down in midfield by Rapids substitute Noah Cobb in the 88th minute, though only a yellow card was produced.

With all the stoppages and flashpoints, the fourth official signalled 12 minutes of added time to close out the match. Cifuentes had a glorious opportunity in the dying moments to put the game to bed, but inexplicably attempted a pass to Sallói, who was well covered, and the ball was cleared out of touch.

Six matches into the MLS season, Toronto find themselves with a winning record, improving to three wins, one draw, and two losses for 10 points and a temporary fourth-place standing in the Eastern Conference. Their next match comes on Saturday, April 11, when they host FC Cincinnati at BMO Field.