Home sweet home. Toronto FC’s long winless streak is finally over, after a 2-1 win over the New England Revolution in their return to BMO Field.

Both TFC goals came moments before halftime, earning the Reds their first win since April 4, snapping a 12-game slide without tasting the full three points in league play.

Theo Corbeanu gave TFC the 1-0 advantage with a low cross that was redirected into the back of the net by a defender, before Niklas Dorsch celebrated his first home appearance for the Reds with an incredible strike from long range that found the top corner of the New England net.

While Corbeanu’s goal needed a bit of luck to end up in the back of the net and was officially credited as an own goal on Will Sands, Dorsch’s first for Toronto FC was one he’ll never forget. Djordje Mihailovic laid the ball off for the German midfielder at the top of the box and he stepped into it, unleashing a powerful strike that Matt Turner had no chance at reaching in the Revolution goal.

The TFC fans erupted at the sight of it hitting the back of the net — quite the way to make a first impression.

TFC locked things down defensively in the second half to grind out a much-needed win in their push to make the playoffs for the first time since 2020.

Things got a bit more difficult when Mihailovic was given a straight red card for an ill-timed sliding tackle from behind on Carles Gil in midfield, given his marching orders by referee Joseph Dickerson in the 76th minute. New England had the ball almost exclusively after that point, but could only muster up a few weak chances at Luka Gavran’s net that he dealt with fairly comfortably.

They were able to squeeze one by Gavran to break up the clean sheet in the 90th minute, with Wilson Harris heading home from a few yards out.

Gavran made a huge stop early in the first half on Peyton Miller that set the tone for a big win for his side.

Miller was forced to leave the match later in the half after a head-on-head collision with Richie Laryea that left both with head bandages, but Laryea was able to continue and play the full 90.

Toronto FC were finally back at BMO Field for the first time since May, with the big win over the Revs kicking off a stretch of home matches that will likely decide the fate of their season.

Toronto FC had mixed results at home this year leading into Saturday’s match. Two wins, five draws and two losses was how a rare nine-game homestand before the World Cup played out, with late goals in almost every match deciding games one way or the other — a trend that remarkably continued into this summer’s tournament.

With four of their next five games also taking place at BMO Field — which looks a little different than it did before and during the World Cup — this is a major opportunity for Toronto FC to turn around their form and push for a playoff spot. They are now just four points back of the final playoff spot, currently held by D.C. United.

The arrival of Dorsch has proven to be a major midfield boost as well after his solid debut in New York City, but the Reds were without captain Jonathan Osorio for this one after he suffered a knee injury in training. Nicksoen Gomis, Deandre Kerr and Nelson Palacio all missed out as well due to injury.

Dorsch started in midfield with Mihailovic and Markus Cimermancic, behind a front three of Josh Sargent, Theo Corbeanu and Daniel Salloi. Walker Zimmerman wears the captain’s armband, starting at centre-back alongside the returning Benjamin Kuscevic, with Jackson Gilman and Richie Laryea on either flank in front of goalkeeper Luka Gavran.

It’s the closest thing Robin Fraser has had to his first-choice starting lineup all season.

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The Revolution had their chances in the first half, outshooting TFC 9-2, but failing to do anything with them.

The Revs have two of the top attacking players in the league, with MLS legend Gil joined this summer by new designated player Jack Harrison. Harrison was not in the squad when Toronto and New England drew 0-0 at Gillette Stadium a few weeks ago, but starts vs. Toronto FC.

Both were involved, but Luka Gavran was sharp in the Toronto FC net, with Zimmerman and Kuscevic keeping things calm in front of their net. Harrison rang a shot off the crossbar in the 59th minute before Laryea and Sargent put their bodies on the line to make huge blocks in front of the TFC net to deny major scoring opportunities for the visitors.

The late goal gave the Revs a chance to win, but TFC held strong for three points that they have been chasing for a long time.

More to come.