Scaffolding stands at Toronto FC’s BMO Field, in Toronto, Saturday, March 14, 2026, as new seating is built ahead of the stadium's use in the 2026 FIFA World Cup. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chris Young

TORONTO — Four teenagers saw action for Red Bull New York against Toronto FC on Saturday but it was a 36-year-old veteran who ensured former Toronto captain Michael Bradley earned a point in his return to BMO Field as Red Bulls coach.

Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting, who came on in the 77th minute, scored on a goalmouth scramble off a corner in the 98th minute to give New York a 1-1 draw in Toronto's 20th home opener. It was was the fifth-latest goal in Red Bulls history.

Toronto (1-2-1) failed on several attempts to clear the corner and Choupo-Moting, a German-born Cameroon international whose CV included stints with Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich, made them pay.

"Choupo, his experience, his quality, his ability to score goals, is still at such a high level," said Bradley. "And so you know, he gives us so much. He and Emile (Forsberg), both as designated players, their presence, their leadership, the way they treat their teammates, they are so important and such good guys.

"And so we're all really, really happy for Choupo today, that he comes on and in a really, really important moment shows his quality. Because that is a that's a really good finish."

New York (2-1-1) had 53.3 per cent possession, outshot Toronto 18-13 (7-6 in shots on target) and had 11 corners to TFC's five. Still, the Red Bulls found themselves trailing 1-0 at the break thanks to a goal by Daniel Salloi, his second in as many weeks, before an announced crowd of 18,767.

"It's very disappointing -- and disappointing on a couple of fronts," said Toronto coach Robin Fraser. "I just didn't feel like we were as energetic as we needed to be from the very beginning."

Asked if eight minutes of extra time was warranted, Fraser -- while saying he would need to review the stoppage time -- replied: "It seemed like a lot."

Toronto went ahead in the 43rd minute on a rapid-fire counter-attack with goalkeeper Luka Gavran starting the play on a free kick, finding Djordje Mihailovic racing up the field. The star playmaker held off a defender before lobbing a perfect pass to an unmarked Salloi whose deft one-touch shot beat Ethan Horvath.

The Hungarian winger also scored last week in a 1-0 win at FC Cincinnati.

Gavran became the fifth goalkeeper in club history to record an MLS assist, joining Stefan Frei, Joe Bendik, Alex Bono and Quentin Westberg.

The Red Bulls had their chances with Forsberg flubbing a golden opportunity in the 53rd minute by slotting his shot wide. Gavran denied Forsberg minutes later and the Swede was frustrated in the 72nd minute by a timely Jonathan Osorio block.

Josh Sargent, TFC's newly signed designated player, made his debut off the bench in the 70th minute — and almost scored seconds later in a goalmouth scramble off a corner. Ethan Horvath saved Sargent's shot in the 86th minute.

The 26-year-old U.S. international last played Jan. 4 for Norwich City in a 2-0 loss to Stoke City in England's second-tier Championship. Sargent was subsequently relegated to training with Norwich's under-21 team as his transfer to Toronto — worth up to US$27 million — slowly progressed.

Referee Chris Penso went to the pitchside monitor in the 82nd minute, at the behest of the video assistant referee, to review a Richie Laryea tackle on Julian Hall in the Toronto penalty box. But he ruled no foul.

Saturday's game marked the first of nine straight at home at a refurbished BMO Field, sporting empty banks of temporary seats at the north and south ends that will bring capacity to 45,000 for this summer's World Cup.

There is more work to be done. The north endzone remained bare, below a string of covered-up new suites and more temporary seats. Only the suites will remain after the World Cup, complete with a rooftop patio.

Bradley received a standing ovation from the crowd when he was introduced before kickoff. And why not? He led the club to the treble in 2017 when it won the Supporters' Shield, MLS Cup and Canadian Championship.

The 38-year-old Bradley made 308 appearances across 10 seasons with Toronto before retiring after the 2023 campaign. Only Osorio, at 399, had made more appearances for the franchise.

It was zero C for the early afternoon kickoff, feeling like minus-7 C. On the plus side, the snow that fell Friday was nowhere to be seen.

Fans received a commemorative seat cushion inspired by Danny Dichio’s historic 24th-minute goal from 2007, the first goal in club history. Seat cushions were also given out that day, with most being thrown onto the field like Frisbees after Dichio's goal.

To avoid history repeating itself, this time the seat cushions were given out as fans exited the game.

After starting the season with three games away from home, TFC does not play on the road again until a May 16 visit to Charlotte.

The Red Bulls arrived riding a 13-game unbeaten run (9-0-4) against Toronto, which was looking for its first win against the New Yorkers since a 3-0 decision July 2019 at BMO Field. The Red Bulls came into the game with a 24-9-11 edge in 44 previous regular-season meetings with TFC.

Bradley started three teenagers in 16-year-old midfielder Adri Mehmeti and 17-year-old defender Matthew Dos Santos and forward Hall. Tanner Rosborough, a 17-year-old forward, came off the Red Bulls bench in the second half.

---?

This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 14, 2026.

News from © The Canadian Press, 2026