Forsberg Shines as Red Bulls Edge Toronto FC, Continue Dominance at Home

Emil Forsberg delivered a clinical performance Saturday night, scoring twice to lead the New York Red Bulls to a 2-1 victory over Toronto FC at Sports Illustrated Stadium. The win not only marked the Red Bulls’ second of the season but also extended their remarkable home dominance over Toronto, now unbeaten in their last ten matchups at home against the Canadian side.

Forsberg Steps Up When It Matters

Forsberg, the Swedish international and marquee offseason acquisition, proved to be the difference-maker once again. His first goal came in the 44th minute from the penalty spot, awarded after Toronto defender Henry Wingo fouled Raheem Edwards inside the box. The veteran winger, who spent three seasons with Toronto, earned the call with a sharp attacking run that caught the defense flat-footed.

Forsberg later sealed the victory in the 76th minute, finishing off a well-orchestrated play to bag his second of the night and third of the season. The goal also underscored his growing influence: Forsberg now boasts eight goal contributions in his last eight MLS appearances, a clear signal that he's settling in quickly and shouldering the creative load in the Red Bulls' midfield.

His brace continues a trend of timely performances in key moments, reaffirming his reputation as a difference-maker on the pitch. His ability to perform under pressure will be vital as New York navigates the early phase of the season.

Toronto FC Shows Flashes but Continues to Struggle

Toronto FC, still in search of their first win this season (0-4-1), managed to equalize in the 70th minute through 22-year-old forward Deandre Kerr. The goal — Kerr’s second of the year and 13th of his young career — came off a well-executed combination involving Derrick Etienne Jr. and Lorenzo Insigne, both registering their first assists of the season.

Etienne’s assist was especially noteworthy given his five-year history with the Red Bulls, adding a layer of personal significance to his return. Still, despite flashes of fluidity, Toronto continues to be plagued by inconsistency and defensive lapses — a costly pattern that head coach John Herdman must address quickly to reverse their poor form.

Home Fortress Continues to Hold

Saturday’s result reinforced a longstanding trend: Toronto simply cannot find a way to win at Red Bull Arena. The Red Bulls have now beaten Toronto eight straight times at home and haven’t lost to them in New Jersey since 2016. It’s a streak that speaks to both the Red Bulls’ mental edge in these matchups and Toronto’s inability to impose themselves away from BMO Field.

Moreover, New York’s win came with 25-year-old AJ Marcucci making his league debut in goal. With regular starter Carlos Coronel away on international duty for Paraguay, Marcucci made the most of his opportunity, needing just one save but exuding composure and solid positioning throughout.

Looking Ahead

The Red Bulls (2-1-2) will take their momentum on the road next weekend as they face the New England Revolution, a side expected to challenge in the Eastern Conference. For New York, the hope is that Forsberg’s form continues and that young contributors like Marcucci and Felipe Carballo — who recorded his first career assist — keep rising to the occasion.

Toronto, on the other hand, returns home to host the Vancouver Whitecaps in what’s shaping up to be a must-win scenario early in the season. With veteran stars like Insigne slowly getting back into rhythm, there's still time for the team to right the ship, but patience may be wearing thin among supporters.

Final Thoughts

Saturday's match highlighted the growing influence of Forsberg in MLS and the resilience of the Red Bulls’ system — even when missing key players. For Toronto, it was another frustrating chapter in a story that’s becoming all too familiar: moments of brilliance undone by a failure to sustain pressure or keep shape in defense.

If both teams learned anything this week, it's this: star power wins games, but structure and consistency win seasons. The Red Bulls may be closer to figuring that out than Toronto.