Pereira’s 90th-minute goal earns TFC a point in 3-3 draw against Orlando City SC

TORONTO – Although Toronto FC scored late to pilfer a draw, the result felt like a loss to Canadian forward Theo Corbeanu.

The Burlington, Ont., native enjoyed his first career two-point match, with a goal and assist, and Matheus Pereira scored in the 90th minute in a 3-3 draw against Orlando City SC at BMO Field on Wednesday. It was Pereira’s first goal and kept Toronto’s slim post-season hopes alive.

“It’s a draw, it’s not a loss, but it really feels like a loss,” the 24-year-old Corbeanu said. “It’s very disappointing.

“But I think that if our belief remains as high as it’s been recently I think we can definitely do something and get this team into the playoffs, where it belongs.”

The draw kept Toronto (7-10-12) in 11th spot in the Eastern Conference. But Toronto gained on the three teams ahead in the standings in the four-way battle for eight and ninth, the two wild-card positions.

New York City, Cincinnati and Red Bull New York each lost on Wednesday. Toronto is tied with New York City at 33 points, but the latter club has the tiebreaker. Cincinnati and Red Bull New York are at 36 points.

Cincinnati has six games remaining, while Toronto and both New York teams each have five left.

The draw extended Toronto’s unbeaten streak at home to seven games (3-0-4) since the FIFA World Cup break. But four of Toronto’s final five games are on the road, beginning with a critical contest against Red Bull New York on Saturday.

“I think we’ve taken full advantage of playing in front of our fans at BMO,” said Corbeanu, whose team has lost three straight on the road by a combined score of 8-1.

“Now we have the Red Bulls, a challenge. We’re ready for it. We’re up for it. We’re going to give them a good fight. We’re up for it.”

Corbeanu will be counted on. His season started slowly because of arthroscopic knee surgery. But recently has exhibited signs of maturity and improvement.

“I’ll tell you what, Theo has really dedicated himself to being better over the last half of the season,” Toronto head coach Robin Fraser said. “By that I mean he’s making better decisions, offensively and defensively. I think he’s in really good form right now.

“He’s making good decisions, where you don’t see the kind of rush turnovers that maybe you saw in the past year and a half. I think he’s getting more solid and more dependable.”

His play earned him a promotion to the Canadian roster three weeks ago, a tour of duty that has given him confidence under national team head coach Jesse Marsch.

“It was a great experience for me,” Corbeanu said. “I came back from the camp with inspiration, being around so many great players.

Marsch also sent Corbeanu back with a message.

“Just consistency,” Corbeanu said. “He wants me to be very attentive and consistent on my off-ball work.

“I feel like he knows who I can be, you know, productive in the final third (of the season), and I can create  great moments for the side. But he wants me to be very sharp, just as sharp off the ball and pressing and on it, and yeah, I guess just really focused.”

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