The Coffin Is Officially Closed

Toronto FC 2-1 DC United, 28 October 2026

Toronto rode a little luck to a come-from behind 2-1 victory over DC United, mathematically eliminating DC from playoff contention.

DC's lineup:

Johnson in goal

Kurokawa, Rowles, Bartlett, Hefti in defense

Stroud, Dozzell, Peltola, Nono in midfield

Ordaz, Peglow at forward

Subs: Servania for Ordaz (80th), Nealis for Stroud (89th)

DC played without Tai Baribo who did not even dress because of an injury.

DC played better than Toronto in the first half, and Dozzell had a goal in the 29th minute off a nice centering pass from Hefti. Their 1-0 halftime lead was deserved, and it looked like they might stay mathematically alive for one more game, as Toronto did not look good.

The second half was a different story. Toronto came out with a better effort, and an unmarked Josh Sargent equalized off Jonathan Osorio's back on a corner in the 64th minute. (Osorio got credit for the goal, but I think it was going in anyway.) The goal was initially disallowed for Osorio being offside but was reversed by VAR. DC had some good chances after that, including 3 corner kicks in a row, but could not find the goal, and in the 86th minute Toronto's Theo Corbeanu hit the left post with a shot on a counterattack. The ball fell fortuitously to Sargent, who easily volleyed it in for the go-ahead goal. DC pressed for an equalizer and played hard to the end but to no avail.

It was interesting that despite playing their 6th game in 18 days, DC only used two of their available 5 subs, and none until the 80th minute. Both DPs were out injured, but there were fresh legs on the bench. It feels like Weiler gave up on this season a few games ago, given his quotes that "this is not a playoff team" and the strange substitution patterns in recent games.

Two more games to go. DC travels to Columbus on October 31 (Halloween) at 2pm, and finishes the season on November 7 at home against NYCFC at 4pm. The 7th is "Decision Day", but DC's 2026 fate has already been decided.