Major League Soccer
6 September 2026
Major League Soccer
6 September 2026
Toronto – Josh Sargent is performing like a player with a clear objective.
Toronto FC’s headline signing for 2026 produced his standout display so far on Saturday, scoring the first hat-trick of his professional career in a dramatic 4-4 draw with Chicago Fire FC at BMO Field.
“It’s been a long time coming, so I’m happy to finally get my first professional hat-trick,” Sargent said after the match.
“My children have been waiting for this moment. They’ve been after me, saying, ‘Are you going to score today? Are you going to score today?’ So I’m obviously very happy about it.”
Sargent, who moved to Toronto during the winter from EFL Championship club Norwich City in a deal reportedly worth as much as $27 million, is hitting top form as his new side continues its rise in the Eastern Conference table.
With 4g/1a across his last four matches, the 26-year-old has played a key role in the Reds going six games unbeaten (two wins, four draws), leaving them just one point away from an Audi MLS Cup Playoffs place.
“I’ve been saying it the whole time, I think Josh is absolutely fantastic,” head coach Robin Fraser said. “I keep hearing questions like, ‘What’s wrong with him? What does Josh need to do to get going?’ I think he’s tremendous.
“I think he’s tremendous not only because of his ability to score goals, but also because of his willingness to work for the team. I think you saw so much of what Josh gives us tonight, not only in the three goals, but also in the work he did away from that.”
Since arriving in MLS, Sargent appears to have developed a habit of scoring against the Fire and former USMNT head coach Gregg Berhalter.
The Missouri native also scored at Soldier Field in TFC’s final match before the FIFA World Cup. And after getting the better of legendary Polish striker Robert Lewandowski — who registered 1g/1a for the visitors on Saturday — with his first-ever hat-trick, more than half of Sargent’s seven league goals have now come against Chicago.
Now, with Toronto chasing an Audi MLS Cup Playoffs berth, getting their marquee player into the best possible form is the top priority.
“I’m naturally a very hard worker, and on days like this, when it feels like all my hard work pays off, it’s very gratifying,” Sargent said.
“I have a process, and if I keep doing the same things, keep trying to put myself in the right positions, the goals will come. That’s what happened today.”
