Deandre Kerr scores in injury time as Toronto FC plays Philadelphia Union to 1-1 draw

By Canadian Press on August 9, 2025.

CHESTER — Deandre Kerr headed home a cross by newly signed Malik Henry in the 91st minute to lift Toronto FC into a 1-1 draw with the high-flying Philadelphia Union in MLS play Saturday.

Newly acquired designated player Djordje Mihailovic had a hand in the buildup to the goal, finished off by the two substitutes. Henry, a 23-year-old midfielder from Hamilton, had signed his first-team contact earlier in the day.

Ten minutes of injury time made for a tense ending at Subaru Park after Kerr’s third goal of the season

After falling behind in the fourth minute on an Indiana Vassilev goal, Toronto (5-13-7) regrouped and avoided further damage in the first half.

While both teams managed just one shot on target in the first 45 minutes, Philadelphia converted its chance.

The game opened up in the second half and Toronto came on, denied in the 83rd minute when Andre Blake made a tremendous save to stop Kevin Long’s shot off a Mihailovic corner.

Kai Wagner’s excellent set-piece deliveries caused Toronto problems all night and Philadelphia appeared to have doubled its lead in the 56th minute on a Wagner free kick, with Israeli international Tai Baribo eventually heading the ball home after a goalmouth scramble. But the goal was ruled offside on video review.

While the Union outshot Toronto 11-9, both teams put four shots on target.

Toronto came into weekend play in 12th place in the Eastern Conference, 14 points below the playoff line and 29 behind first-place Philadelphia (15-5-6).

TFC’s last road win over the Union was a 3-1 decision in March 2019.

Mihailovic, who had had just one training session with Toronto, started up front, operating on the left slightly behind Norwegian striker Ola Brynhildsen. As the game progressed, the 26-year-old U.S. international took a more central position behind Brynhildsen.

Mihailovic had a half-chance in the 20th minute, put in behind the defence by Brynhildsen, but Philadelphia defender Jakob Glesnes closed him down before he could put a shot on target. In the 26th minute, Mihailovic split the Union defence with a fine pass to Brynhildsen but the Philadelphia defenders got back in time to snuff out the threat,

Mihailovic, who also took corners for Toronto, came off in the 96th minute.

The star playmaker was acquired Thursday from the Colorado Rapids in a transfer that could cost TFC US$9 million. Mihailovic has also played for CF Montreal and the Chicago Fire as well as AZ Alkmaar in the Netherlands.

Luca Gavran had a busy night in goal for Toronto with No. 1 ‘keeper Sean Johnson, who had started TFC’s previous 24 league games, going though concussion protocol after taking a knock in training.

Milan Iloski, Philadelphia’s new signing from Denmark’s FC Nordsjælland, made his debut off the bench in the 67th minute. The 26-year-old American made 14 appearances for expansion San Diego FC earlier this season on loan, scoring 10 goals and adding one assist. In June, he scored four goals in a 12-minute span against the Vancouver Whitecaps, the fastest four-goal performance in league history.

The Union struck quickly, going ahead on a slick counterattack after Richie Laryea lost possession. Philadelphia moved the ball forward like clockwork and Baribo found an unmarked Vassilev, who had left Theo Corbeanu in his tracks. The American midfielder, making no mistake on Philadelphia’s first shot of the evening, beat the six-foot-six Gavran with a low shot to the corner for his third of the year.

Glesnes was shown a yellow card in the 28th minute for taking down fellow Norwegian Brynhildsen, a caution that will result in a one-game ban for yellow card accumulation.

Corbeanu put Toronto’s first shot on target in the 38th minute, forcing a save from Blake.

Haiti midfielder Danley Jean Jacques had a chance to make it 2-0 for Philadelphia in the 50th minute but his shot was wide with Gavran unsighted. At the other end, Laryea found Corbeanu after a fine run but his weak shot was easily handled by Blake in the 61st.

Gavran made a fine reflex save on a powerful shot by Jesús Bueno in the 69th minute.

Tempers flared in the 77th minute when Union defender Olwethu Makhanya hit Gavran with a shot off a corner after the whistle was blown. Makhanya and Kerr were both cautioned on the play.

Toronto was coming off after a bye week due to Leagues Cup play, having previously lost at Charlotte (2-0) and Nashville (1-0). TFC had won just one of its last five outings (1-3-1).

Philadelphia drew German’s Eintracht Frankfurt 2-2 in a friendly last Saturday at Subaru Park. In league play, it was coming off a 3-1 win over visiting Colorado and was unbeaten in its four previous four league outings (3-0-1) after a pair of 1-0 away losses to Columbus and Nashville.

Up next, Philadelphia plays the visiting New York Red Bulls on Wednesday in a U.S. Open Cup quarterfinal while Toronto hosts the Columbus Crew next Saturday.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 9, 2025.

The Canadian Press