Josh Sargent's first career goal is winner as Toronto rallies for 3-2 victory over Rapids

TORONTO (AP) — Josh Sargent had the go-ahead score after notching his first assist in a three-goal second-half run and Toronto FC rallied to beat the Colorado Rapids 3-2 on Saturday in a match that saw three red cards issued.

Alonso Coello's first assist of the season set up Sargent's winner in the 85th minute for Toronto (3-2-1) after a scoreless first half. It was Sargent's first goal in his third career appearance.

Colorado (3-3-0) was forced to play a man down in the 34th minute after midfielder Jackson Travis was charged with a red card for his foul on Raheem Edwards. However, Edwards returned the favor four minutes into the second half for his foul on Wayne Frederick, returning the match to even strength.

Paxten Aaronson scored off a free kick in the 51st minute to give the Rapids a 1-0 lead and defender Keegan Rosenberry made it 2-0 three minutes later. Aaronson's third goal this season and Rosenberry's first were both unassisted.

Richie Laryea used assists from Sargent and José Cifuentes to score, cutting it to 2-1 in the 65th minute, and Miguel Navarro exited in the 74th after he was tagged with a second yellow card, again leaving Colorado short-handed. An own goal by Colorado goalkeeper Zack Steffan tied it 2-2 in the 77th.

Steffen finished with three saves for Colorado in the finale of a three-match road trip. He allowed three total goals in his first three starts.

Luka Gavran saved two shots for Toronto in his 22nd career start since 2023.

Colorado: Hosts the Houston Dynamo on Saturday.

Toronto: Hosts FC Cincinnati on Saturday.

AP soccer: https://apnews.com/soccer

Toronto FC forward Josh Sargent, center, moves with the ball between Colorado Rapids defenders Jackson Travis, left, and Lucas Herrington (22) during the first half of an MLS soccer game in Toronto, Saturday, April 4, 2026. (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press via AP)

Colorado Rapids defender Keegan Rosenberry (2) celebrates his goal as Toronto FC defender Matheus Pereira and FC goalkeeper Luka Gavran (1) react during the second half of an MLS soccer game in Toronto, Saturday, April 4, 2026. (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press via AP)

Toronto FC forward Josh Sargent, left, celebrates with Richie Laryea after scoring a goal agians the Colorado Rapids during the second half of an MLS soccer game in Toronto, Saturday, April 4, 2026. (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press via AP)

Colorado Rapids defender Miguel Navarro (29) picks up a red card after he fouls Toronto FC defender Richie Laryea (22) during the second half of an MLS soccer game in Toronto, Saturday, April 4, 2026. (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press via AP)

Toronto FC forward Josh Sargent (9) heads the ball into the Colorado Rapids' net scoring his team's third goal of the game during the second half of an MLS soccer game in Toronto, Saturday, April 4, 2026. (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press via AP)

NEW YORK (AP) — Failing to score until there were 32 seconds left and allowing a hat trick to Gabriel Perreault, the Detroit Red Wings lost an important game in their pursuit of a playoff spot, 4-1 at the New York Rangers on Saturday.

With six games left, the Red Wings remain on the outside looking in as part of a competitive Eastern Conference race down the stretch. They are among a handful of teams fighting for the East's second and final wild-card spot.

Detroit's loss clinched a berth for the Buffalo Sabres, who ended the NHL's longest postseason drought at 14 seasons. Though his teammates came up empty on scoring, goaltender John Gibson made some big saves among his 17, playing well in his 14th consecutive start.

Gibson allowed a deflection goal to Jaroslav Chmelar 13 minutes in, then one each to Perreault in the second and third periods. The first came from close range after a perfect pass from Mika Zibanejad and the second off the rush.

Perreault finished off his first career hat trick with an empty-netter with 1:44 left.

Red Wings captain Dylan Larkin appeared to get banged up from a series of collisions and was in obvious pain on the bench in the second. Larkin returned and gutted through it, unsurprising given what's at stake.

The Rangers played spoiler with Jonathan Quick stopping 31 of 32 shots in his return from injury. Playing for the first time since March 18, the 40-year-old in the twilight of his career stopped Emmitt Finnie the shift after Chmelar scored, slid over to make a pad save on David Perron late in the first and got lucky when J.T. Compher's shot rang off the post and out with 13 minutes remaining.

Fans chanted “Quickie! Quickie!” in the final minutes of what could be Quick's final NHL game.

Red Wings: Host the playoff-bound Minnesota Wild on Sunday.

Rangers: Igor Shesterkin figures to get the nod at home against the Washington Capitals on Sunday night.

AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/nhl

New York Rangers left wing Will Cuylle (50) fights with Detroit Red Wings center Andrew Copp (18), and Rangers center Noah Laba (42) fights with Red Wings left wing James van Riemsdyk (21) during the second period of an NHL hockey game, Saturday, April 4, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura)

Detroit Red Wings center Andrew Copp (18) fights for control of the puck with New York Rangers center Vincent Trocheck (16) during the second period of an NHL hockey game, Saturday, April 4, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura)

Detroit Red Wings defenseman Moritz Seider (53) fights with New York Rangers center J.T. Miller (8) during the first period of an NHL hockey game, Saturday, April 4, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura)

New York Rangers goaltender Jonathan Quick (32) stops the puck during the second period of an NHL hockey game against Detroit Red Wings, Saturday, April 4, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura)

Detroit Red Wings goaltender John Gibson (36) covers the puck during the first period of an NHL hockey game against New York Rangers, Saturday, April 4, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura)