Goalkeeper Gavran scores late, earns Toronto FC 3-3 draw against Philadelphia Union

Toronto FC's Jose Cifuentes (left) battles for the ball with Philadelphia Union's Frankie Westfield (39) during first half MLS action in Toronto, on Wednesday, April 22, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chris Young

TORONTO — A header from goalkeeper Luke Gavran deep into injury time gave Toronto FC a timely 3-3 draw against the Philadelphia Union on Wednesday.

Gavran ran up the field in the dying seconds and headed in a pass from Alonso Coello in the sixth extra minute to extend Toronto’s (3-2-4) unbeaten streak to seven games after the club started the MLS season with back-to-back losses.

A header from Union right back Nathan Harriel in the 89th minute put the visitors in front off a corner.

The late-game heroics from Harriel spoiled Toronto’s comeback bid after Josh Sargent and Kobe Franklin scored in the second half to overcome a two-goal deficit.

The struggling Union (1-6-2) enjoyed a two-goal lead after goals from Milan Iloski late in the first half and Danley Jean Jacques early in the second half.

Sargent gave Toronto hope in the 56th minute. He took a pass from Daneil Salloi, split two defenders and beat Philadelphia goalkeeper Andre Blake.

In the 64th minute, midfielder Jose Cifuentes hit Franklin in stride, and he made good with his shot from the right side of the box off the far post.

Salloi scored in the 82nd minute, but he was ruled offside.

Iloski lassoed a long pass from midfielder Jovan Lukic late in the first half in injury time to deposit a shot from in close past Gavran’s outstretched right arm.

Jacques scored when a clearing attempt from Toronto defender Zane Monlouis deflected off the hard-charging Philadelphia midfielder in the 52nd minute.

Toronto started in a sloppy fashion. There were a few giveaways and early yellow cards to captain Jonathan Osorio and Solloi at BMO Field.

Philadelphia free kicks from just outside the box by Bruno Damiani in the eighth minute and Olwethu Makhanya in the 16th minute were wide.

Toronto’s first good chance materialized off a 29th-minute corner. Coello swung his corner to a hard-charging Walker Zimmerman for a header near the penalty spot that was stopped on the line by Union centreback Japhet Sery Larsen.

Zimmerman ran into Philadelphia midfielder Indiana Vassilev, causing a lengthy injury delay, but Vassilev stayed in the game.

Striker Deandre Kerr almost drew Toronto even in the first half, but his left-footed shot off a break just dribbled by the Union goal, moments after IIoski’s icebreaker.

Coello and Richie Laryea picked up two more yellow cards early in the second half for the home side.

NOTES

Toronto’s unbeaten at home was extended to 13 outings (4-0-9), dating back to June 25, 2025 … TFC signed Toronto FC II defender Reid Fisher of Huntington Beach, Cali., to a short-term agreement for the second time this season. The call-up was available on Wednesday.

UP NEXT

TFC continue its 10-game homestand against Atlanta United on Saturday. The 10-week stint at BMO Field includes a Canada Championship match against Atlético Ottawa on May 5.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 22, 2026.

Tim Wharnsby, The Canadian Press