Toronto flew out of the blocks in the second half, and they reduced City’s advantage in the 55th minute through Federico Bernardeschi.
The hosts then enjoyed a sustained spell of pressure, with Bernardeschi at the heart of their attacking play. Several dangerous crosses subsequently entered City’s penalty area, but none provided the decisive equalizer.
New York City were eventually able to emerge and create a chance of their own after a turnover in Toronto’s defensive third allowed Wolf a run at goal. The Austrian played a clever pass inside to Martínez, but his shot was blocked by Sigur Rosted.
That would be the Costa Rican’s last chance to find the scoresheet as he was withdrawn alongside Jones in the 69th minute. Keaton Parks and Agustín Ojeda replacing them from the bench.
With Toronto desperately chasing an equalizer, City pushed forward and eventually reestablished their two-goal advantage. Once again, Wolf was a central part of the move, with his intelligent low cross finding Perea just a few yards out to tap the ball past Johnson.
The hosts refused to give up, however, and they were rewarded with a second goal of the night thanks to a goal from Raoul Petretta. Cushing would turn to his bench straight after the goal to make a change. On came defender Strahinja Tanasijević in place of Wolf.
City would make one final substitution deep into injury time as Rodríguez left the game with a suspected cramp – Andres Jasson checking in to provide fresh legs.
With time running out for Toronto, Bernardeschi made one last push and cut inside before firing off a near post shot that Freese did brilliantly to parry away from danger.
That would be the host’s last attempt of the night, confirming a huge road win for City, their first of the 2024 season.