Match Preview - Toronto FC v. Columbus Crew | OneFootball

When: 1:00 pm Kickoff

Where to Watch: Apple TV+, TSN 1 & TSN 3

Toronto FC is coming off a 1-1 draw against New York Red Bulls in their home opener that saw the team lead for the majority of the second half. Despite the defensive breakdown, TFC looked competent at both ends of the pitch. As the team prepares to host Columbus, there is a slight tinge of optimism through the fanbase about the possibility of a win on Saturday.

Who Are Ya? - The Columbus Crew

The Columbus Crew’s transition into the Henrik Rydström era has been anything but smooth, as the Crew find themselves languishing near the bottom of the Eastern Conference. The frustration reached a boiling point last Saturday at Scotts Miracle-Gro Field during a 1–0 loss to Nashville SC. Despite controlling long stretches of the match, the Black & Gold were undone in the 94th minute by a Hany Mukhtar strike. This defeat extended their winless streak to four games, marking one of the club's most anemic starts in recent memory and leaving fans wondering if the evolution promised by the new staff after Wilfred Nancy's departure has stalled before it truly began.

Rydström has been candid about his team's shortcomings, though his rhetoric often leans more toward philosophical reflection than tactical pivoting. Following the Nashville heartbreak, Rydström admitted he was "burning up inside," yet he simultaneously preached patience, stating, "It’s this balance between looking at the result and then still seeing the bigger picture." This bigger picture has been blurry for supporters who have watched the team concede late goals and struggle with the same defensive lapses that plagued the end of their 2025 campaign. Rydström himself acknowledged the lack of progress, noting, "We came into this season with a little bit of some issues. We haven’t solved them yet... It looked quite good for maybe 70–75 minutes but not for 90 minutes." So far, his inability to adjust his style to shore up the backline has resulted in a side that looks pretty on the ball but remains remarkably fragile under pressure.

Players to Watch

André Gomes - The former Barcelona and Everton midfielder finally made his highly anticipated debut against Nashville, and the 32-year-old didn't disappoint individually. Even in a losing effort, Gomes displayed the class you'd expect from a European veteran, recording an 89% pass accuracy and winning nearly all of his ground duels. As the Crew look to fill the massive leadership void left by the retired Darlington Nagbe, Gomes is the technical engine who will determine whether Rydström’s possession-heavy system can actually create high-quality chances or just move the ball side-to-side.

Wessam Abou Ali - After a hot start to the season with two goals in his opening fixtures, Abou Ali has gone cold during this recent winless stretch. The Palestinian international forward is arguably the most clinical finisher on the roster, but he has suffered from a lack of service as the midfield struggled to integrate new pieces. If the Crew are going to find their first win of 2026, they need Abou Ali to find the pockets of space he occupied so effectively during the preseason, as his ability to stretch defenses is vital for opening up the middle for Diego Rossi.

Max Arfsten - Arfsten was the definition of unlucky against Nashville, nearly scoring twice with a disallowed goal due to a marginal offside and a thunderous strike that rattled the crossbar. Operating as a dynamic wingback/midfielder, his stock is rising rapidly, with many projecting him as a dark horse for the USMNT’s 2026 World Cup roster. His directness and willingness to take defenders 1-on-1 provide a necessary north-south contrast to the team's more methodical build-up play, making him the Crew's most dangerous weapon in transition right now.

The TFC Connection

The Trillium Cup rivalry between Toronto FC and the Columbus Crew has seen plenty of talent cross the border over the years. Here is a breakdown of a few notable players during their tenures with both clubs.

Derrick Etienne Jr. - Etienne enjoyed his most successful professional spell in Ohio. He was a vital part of the 2020 MLS Cup-winning squad famously scoring the second goal in the final against Seattle. Over three seasons, he became a reliable creative outlet, tallying 12 goals and 13 assists across 90 appearances. Etienne arrived in Toronto via trade from Atlanta United in April 2024. While his production hasn't yet reached his Columbus peaks, he remains a key rotational piece in the current 2026 setup.

Dominic Oduro - known for his blistering speed and flamboyant hairstyles (including the "pizza" hair), Oduro was a fan favorite in Columbus. He had a career-best year in 2013, leading the team with 13 goals. Oduro’s stay in Toronto was brief. He was acquired mid-season in 2014 in exchange for Álvaro Rey but struggled to find the same clinical touch he had in Columbus, scoring only twice in 24 games before being traded to Montreal the following January.

Jeff Cunningham - Cunningham is a club legend for the Crew. Across his two stints, he became the club's all-time leading scorer. His first tenure was legendary, establishing him as one of the most feared strikers in MLS history. He returned in 2011 to break the then-all-time MLS goal-scoring record in a Black & Gold jersey. Cunningham was a major acquisition for TFC during their expansion era. He provided a veteran presence for the young club, scoring 6 goals in 35 appearances. While his time in Toronto was overshadowed by the club’s early-year struggles, he remains an important piece of TFC’s inaugural history.

Liam Fraser- A TFC Academy product, Fraser was often seen as the heir apparent to Michael Bradley. While he showed great vision and passing range, consistent minutes were hard to come by in a crowded Toronto midfield. Fraser was sent to Columbus on a season-long loan in 2021. The move was a success for his development; he played 23 games for the Crew and earned praise for his composure on the ball before eventually making the jump to Europe.

Jordan Hamilton - Another Homegrown player, Hamilton was a consistent goal-scoring threat off the bench for TFC. He was a member of the 2017 Treble-winning team and remains well-regarded by the Toronto faithful for his poaching instincts and work rate. Hamilton was traded to Columbus in 2019 in the deal that brought Patrick Mullins to Toronto. Though he struggled to break into the starting XI ahead of Gyasi Zardes, he earned another MLS Cup ring in 2020 before departing the club as a free agent.

Let's TF-See: Toronto's Current Form

Building on the momentum of their 1-0 away win in Cincinnati, TFC returned to a newly expanded BMO Field for their home opener last Saturday against the New York Red Bulls. In a match that saw former captain Michael Bradley return as the opposition's head coach, TFC were seconds away from a perfect homecoming. Sallói found the back of the net for the second straight game, scoring a beautiful 43rd-minute lob assisted—incredibly—by a long ball from Gavran. However, the script took a painful turn deep into stoppage time when Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting bundled home a corner in the 98th minute to force a 1–1 draw.

Despite the late heartbreak, there is a palpable sense of optimism around the squad. Josh Sargent’s debutedin the 70th minute against NYRB and nearly scored moments after coming on. Also, with two goals in his first four games, Daniel Sallói has quickly established himself as the clinical finisher the Reds lacked in 2025.

Sallói’s Impact: With two goals in his first four games, Sallói has quickly established himself as the clinical finisher the Reds lacked in 2025.

Robin Fraser has noted that while the team is frustrated with the late equalizer against New York, the "urgency" in training this week has been at an all-time high as they prepare to host the winless Columbus Crew tomorrow.