Theo Corbeanu, Niklas Dorsch give Toronto FC 2-0 lead over New England Revolution

Toronto FC are up 2-0 over the New England Revolution after 45 minutes in their return to BMO Field, thanks to two late goals before halftime.

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 it of luck to end up in the back of the net, 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.

Toronto FC are finally back at BMO Field for the first time since May, hosting the New England Revolution to kick off a stretch of home matches that will likely decide the fate of their season.

Toronto FC have had mixed results at home this year. 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 just six points back of the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference still, despite not winning a game since April 4, now winless in 12 league matches, 13 if you include the Canadian Championship.

A 14th would set a new single-season record for the club in all-competitions, something they are desperate to avoid.The Reds have been playing decent football since the World Cup, and with many of their key players finally on the pitch together for really the first time all year due to injuries, they are starting to build some chemistry together.

So far, so good.

The arrival of Dorsch is a major midfield boost as well after his solid debut in New York City, but the Reds were without captain Jonathan Osorio 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.

Related Reading: Toronto FC 'on the right path' for playoff push, new-look squad 'needs urgency'

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 Carles 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.

"They're a really organized team, and they play very much for each other," head coach Robin Fraser told reporters including Waking the Red on Friday. "They also have some players that are quite special. I think Gil is one of the best players in league.

"Both their wingers now are very dangerous, it's a team that defends well, they defend honestly, they don't have cheaters and at the end of the day, Carles Gil just makes really good things happen for them."

Gil will always start when healthy, while Harrison got his first since returning to North America this summer after several years in England. Harrison was previously a number one pick in the MLS SuperDraft with New York City FC, lighting it up in 2016 and 2017 before moving all the way up the ladder to Manchester City.

A loan stint at Leeds led to a permanent transfer, and he also spent time with Everton, Middlesbrough and Fiorentina over the past several years before deciding to return stateside with the Revs as a designated player. You don't make nearly 200 appearances in the Premier League by accident. The Revs know they're getting back someone with the potential to be one of the top forwards in MLS again.

"He was a very good player back then," Fraser said of Harrison's first stint in MLS. "I actually watched him at Wake Forest, that's how long ago, he was there for one year. Very good player, very competent, good dribbler, very good attacking player, and hard worker, talented, skillful. Those sorts of players help teams."

"He's a very good player, I remember when he played in MLS before he went to England and had a really amazing career, so it's nice to see him back in the league and good quality for MLS in general," Daniel Salloi added. "Obviously, we are preparing against him and trying to stop him from having a good return to MLS."

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