Late goals from Dániel Sallói, Niklas Dorsch rally Toronto to 3-3 draw with Charlotte

TORONTO (AP) — Dániel Sallói and Niklas Dorsch scored short-handed goals in the final 12 minutes of regulation to rally Toronto FC to a 3-3 draw with Charlotte FC on Wednesday night.

Toronto (4-7-9) trailed 3-1 when Sallói used assists from Theo Corbeanu and Markus Cimermancic in the 77th minute to score his fifth goal this season.

Dorsch scored the equalizer in the 90th minute when he found the net for the second time in his first three appearances in the league — with assists from Derrick Etienne Jr. and Jackson Gilman.

Nineteen-year-old rookie forward Rodolfo Aloko put Charlotte ahead 1-0 in the 8th minute when he used an assist from Ashley Westwood to score his first goal in his 10th appearance and fourth start.

Josh Sargent and defender Richie Laryea set up 21-year-old Markus Cimermancic's first career goal and Toronto tied it six minutes later. It was the fourth appearance this season for Cimermancic after making nine as a rookie last season.

Idan Toklomati scored his fifth goal — unassisted in the 20th minute — and Charlotte moved back in front 2-1.

Walker Zimmerman left Toronto short-handed when he was tagged with a red card for a foul on Toklomati in the 56th minute.

Defender Henry Kessler scored for the first time in his fourth appearance for Charlotte two minutes later off a set piece — with another assist from Westwood — for a two-goal advantage. Westwood already has a career-high eight assists.

Luka Gavran finished with seven saves for Toronto.

Kristijan Kahlina stopped four shots for Charlotte (8-7-5), which is 4-1-3 in its last eight matches after starting the run with a 3-1 home win over Toronto.

Toronto was coming off 2-1 victory over the New England Revolution for its first win since April 4.

Charlotte leads the series 5-3-2.

Charlotte: Hosts D.C. United on Saturday.

Toronto: At Inter Miami on Saturday.

See AP’s full soccer coverage here

Charlotte FC's Allan Saint-Maximin (10) takes the ball past Toronto FC's Josh Sargent (9) during second half MLS soccer action in Toronto, on Wednesday, Aug. 19, 2026. (Chris Young/The Canadian Press via AP)

Toronto FC's Niklas Dorsch (left) celebrates with Daniel Salloi (20) and Jackson Gilman (38) after scoring against Charlotte FC during the second half of a MLS soccer game in Toronto, Wednesday, Aug. 19, 2026. (Chris Young/The Canadian Press via AP)

Charlotte FC's Allan Saint-Maximin (10) chases the ball during second half MLS action against Toronto FC in Toronto, on Wednesday, Aug. 19, 2026. (Chris Young/The Canadian Press via AP)

Toronto FC's Josh Sargent (right) and Charlotte FC's Henry Kessler (22) vie for the ball during the first half of a MLS soccer game in Toronto, Wednesday, Aug. 19, 2026. (Chris Young/The Canadian Press via AP)

Toronto FC's Markus Cimermancic (second right) tries to get a shot a goal through the Charlotte FC defence during the first half of a MLS soccer game in Toronto, Wednesday, Aug. 19, 2026. (Chris Young/The Canadian Press via AP)

Toronto FC's Markus Cimermancic (71) celebrates his goal against Charlotte FC during the first half of a MLS soccer game in Toronto, Wednesday, Aug. 19, 2026. (Chris Young/The Canadian Press via AP)

TOKYO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug 19, 2026--

Asahi Kasei(TOKYO:3407), a diversified global company, has developed a novel pre-doping technology for high-voltage lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) with silicon-based anodes. This technology enables lithium carbonate to serve as an additional lithium source at lower voltages, reducing the permanent capacity loss that typically occurs in silicon-rich cells during the first charge–discharge cycle. Going forward, Asahi Kasei will work closely with customers worldwide to explore practical applications of the technology through proof-of-concept (PoC) evaluations.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260819788219/en/

With the growing adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) and humanoid robots, LIBs are being required to deliver ever-higher energy densities. In response, development efforts have focused on partially replacing graphite with silicon-based materials in the anode and on increasing the operating voltage of cathode materials.

However, silicon-based anodes suffer significant, irreversible capacity loss during the initial charge, severely limiting the battery’s lifespan and total energy density. Compensating for this effect requires greater amounts of cathode active material, which in turn leads to higher material use and higher costs.

Asahi Kasei focused on lithium carbonate, which is relatively inexpensive and has an established track record of use as a lithium-ion battery (LIB) material, as an alternative to existing methods. However, because the decomposition voltage of lithium carbonate is far above the nominal operating voltage range of LIBs, its use for lithium pre-doping applications has tended to be difficult.

The lithium pre-doping technology developed by Asahi Kasei uses special additives in the electrolyte to promote the decomposition of lithium carbonate at typical cell voltages of standard LIBs. This allows lithium carbonate to be pre-added to the cathode as a sacrificial lithium source, which is decomposed during the initial charge to supply lithium. The use of low-cost lithium carbonate substantially improves energy density. Internal tests with an NMC (nickel-manganese-cobalt) cell having an anode of 90% graphite and 10% SiO showed a 10% increase in energy density. Furthermore, this technology improves cycle life at low cost per Wh (watt-hour), can be applied without significant modifications to existing battery manufacturing lines, and is expected to be broadly applicable across a range of cathode and anode material systems.

Asahi Kasei plans to license this technology and offer flexible collaboration frameworks that support a phased approach tailored to each customer’s development stage. This strategy is part of the company’s medium-term management plan (MTP), which includes its Technology-value Business Creation (TBC) initiative. Through TBC, Asahi Kasei seeks to create value from its extensive intangible assets—such as patents, know-how, data, and algorithms—by providing them in various forms, including licensing. Through this licensing-based business development, the company aims to conclude at least 10 new license agreements during fiscal 2025–2027, with a cumulative profit contribution of ¥10 billion or more by around 2030.

About Asahi Kasei

Asahi Kasei is a diversified global company that contributes to life and living for people around the world. Since its foundation in 1922, with businesses in ammonia and cellulose fiber, Asahi Kasei has consistently grown through proactive portfolio transformation to meet the evolving needs of every age. With 50,000 employees worldwide, the company contributes to sustainability by providing solutions to the world’s challenges across its three business sectors: Healthcare, Homes, and Material. For more information, visit https://www.asahi-kasei.com/.

Humanoid robot applications require higher energy density

EV applications require higher energy density

Conceptual illustration of the novel pre-doping technology