Toronto FC’s head coach Robin Fraser expressed disappointment as his team suffered a 3-1 defeat against Atlético Ottawa in the 2026 Telus Canadian Championship preliminary round. Fraser criticized his team for not being assertive at crucial moments and described the goals conceded as “tragic.”
Atlético’s victory was propelled by Ballou Tabla, who scored a hat-trick, securing their first-ever win against Toronto FC. Tabla expressed his satisfaction in bringing joy to his teammates and emphasized his ambition to advance in the competition.
The turning point came when Tabla leveled the score in the 71st minute, followed by two more goals, including a penalty shot in stoppage time. Atlético’s coach, Diego Mejia, highlighted the importance of using this win to build momentum for the team.
Despite an early lead secured by DeAndre Kerr, Toronto FC struggled to maintain their advantage, with veteran Jonathan Osorio acknowledging Ottawa’s ability to capitalize on their errors. The team, missing key players due to injuries, fielded young talents in the match to gain experience.
Fraser commended the young players for their efforts but acknowledged the team’s overall lack of sharpness. Toronto FC, aiming to add to its eight Canadian Championship titles, will now focus on their upcoming MLS match against Miami.
In the next round of the Telus Canadian Championship, Atlético Ottawa will face the winner of the match between FC Supra and the Woodbridge Strikers. The competition features 15 clubs vying for the Voyageurs Cup and a spot in the prestigious CONCACAF Champions Cup.
Toronto FC currently sits mid-table in the Eastern Conference standings, while Atlético Ottawa is second to last in the CPL. Despite initial losses in the season, Atlético Ottawa seeks to leverage their recent victory for a stronger performance moving forward.