Dorsch scores late equalizer to lift Toronto FC to 3-3 draw with Charlotte FC

TORONTO — Toronto FC midfielder Niklas Dorsch has made quite an impact since his arrival in Major League Soccer last month.

Signed via transfer from Germany’s FC Heidenheim, he scored a late equalizer to lift Toronto FC to a 3-3 draw against Charlotte FC on Wednesday, just four days after notching a highlight-reel game-winner in a 2-1 win over New England.

Dorsch’s strike from 25 yards out came in the 90th minute, delighting the home crowd at BMO Field.

However, the German left the game moments later after taking an elbow to the face. Toronto FC head coach Robin Fraser was incensed that referee Alexis Da Silva did not issue a red card on the play.

“Niklas probably has a fracture, not even a card. How is that possible?” Fraser said. “He’s on his way to the hospital to get a CT scan. How is it possible that someone can have his face broken, he’s got a dent in his face, and not even a card. Why do we have VAR (video assistant referee)? I don’t understand.

“This is supposed to make things better, but clearly VAR is only as efficient as the people interpreting the rules.”

Specifics on injury details weren’t immediately available.

Down a man after Walker Zimmerman picked up a red card in the 56th minute, Daniel Salloi scored for Toronto (4-7-9) in the second half before Dorsch, playing his third game for the Reds, notched the equalizer.

“Every week we feel like we are fighting more than other teams,” Fraser added. “I’m absolutely tired of it. All we want is a level playing field.”

Toronto put together a couple of scoring chances early, but it was Charlotte that struck first when winger Rodolfo Aloko scored from the centre of the box in the eighth minute.

Six minutes later, Markus Cimermancic scored his first goal of the season for Toronto after a nice rush down the right side by Josh Sargent, who set up his teammate for the strike.

“A dream come true,” Cimermancic said. “I was at the (TFC) academy since I was 11, so to score my first goal is a big weight off my shoulders.”

Charlotte jumped ahead 2-1 in the 20th minute.

Toronto goalkeeper Luke Gavran made a save on Liel Abada but Idan Toklomati scored on the rebound. The play started when a Toronto defender misjudged a slide in an attempt to intercept a pass.

The second half kicked off with TFC’s Benjamin Kuscevic heading a ball just wide of the goal after a corner kick by Alonso Coello.

Zimmerman was shown the red card for taking down Toklomati on a Charlotte counterattack. Two minutes later, the visitors moved ahead 3-1 on a goal by Henry Kessle.

Toronto pulled within one in the 77th minute when Salloi scored his team-leading fifth goal after a nice pass from Theo Corbeanu.

Gavran made a couple key saves shortly before stoppage time. The Reds were without Deandre Kerr (lower body), Jonathan Osorio (knee) and Nelson Palacio (conditioning) against Charlotte.

TFC’s next match is on Saturday at Inter Miami.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 19, 2026.

Steve Buffery, The Canadian Press