It doesn’t get much better than that for an account opener.
Niklas Dorsch, Toronto FC’s newest midfielder, announced himself with authority to fans at BMO Field when he sent in a game-winning banger to top the New England Revolution, 2-1, in his home debut on Saturday.
Adding to the significance of Dorsch's stunner, it snapped a 12-game winless streak for TFC in league play.
“It was fantastic," head coach Robin Fraser said postgame. "I thought he covered a ton of ground, and you could tell he was pretty tired toward the end, and he just wouldn't stop running, wouldn't stop going.
"I thought it was a really good performance, obviously, capped off by a fantastic goal."
Instant impact
In just his second appearance with Toronto, the Bayern Munich youth product who signed for a reported $4.2 million transfer lived up to his billing with a stunning strike worth a vital three points.
Winless since April 4, the Reds earned a get-right result that could give them some daylight to push for an Audi 2026 MLS Cup Playoffs spot.
"Sometimes games like this are what you need to kickstart your season," continued Fraser. "Because I just think so many times in my playing career and coaching career, where you go through a rough patch, and you have a game that you just commit to each other, and your determination is what makes the difference, and then from there, you kick on to good things."
Dorsch finding a link with fellow midfielder Djordje Mihailovic, who provided the assist for the game-winner, will be a welcome sign for Toronto fans as they battle to claw their way back into the Eastern Conference playoff picture.
However, Mihailovic was red-carded by referee Joe Dickerson in the 76th minute. That means he'll miss Wednesday's home clash vs. Charlotte FC (7:30 pm ET | Apple TV).
