While Toronto FC suffered another setback Wednesday, substitute Prince Owusu tossed the slumping Major League Soccer side a timely lifeline.

Trailing 2-0 to Canadian Premier League champion Forge FC in the opening leg of their Canadian Championship semifinal, Toronto got an all-important away goal in the 88th minute from the German forward to cut the deficit to 2-1. That made the hole TFC has to climb out of in the Aug. 21 return leg at BMO Field a little more manageable.

The latest loss can still turn into a win. But black clouds continue to hover over TFC, which had lots of the ball on the night but didn’t take care of it at times and showed wasteful finishing.

Owusu finally put Toronto on the board off a goalmouth scramble following a corner, with Forge players appealing unsuccessfully for a foul on the play as bodies hit the ground.

“The away goal was super important for us,” said Toronto coach John Herdman, who believed his team had a goal incorrectly called back for offside.

“The second leg at home is going to be different. It’s going to feel different,” he added.

Beni Badibanga and Kwasi Poku scored for Forge, which led 2-0 after 14 minutes and could have had more had if not for Toronto ‘keeper Luka Gavran.

“We’re a little bit disappointed that it’s not 3-0 at some point,” said Forge coach Bobby Smyrniotis. “Because we created some excellent opportunities.”

Thanks to Herdman throwing on starters like Owusu, Matty Longstaff and Kevin Long, Toronto mounted a furious final attack. There were five-plus minutes of frantic stoppage time with Forge ‘keeper Chris Kalongo making a diving save to deny Lorenzo Insigne and Toronto substitute Deandre Kerr heading wide.

Toronto had 68 per cent possession, outshot Forge 18-10 (5-5 in shots on target) and had eight corners to Forge’s four. TFC managed just one shot on target in the first half.

Pacific FC hosted the defending champion Vancouver Whitecaps in the other cup semifinal Wednesday.

Toronto (7-13-3 in MLS play) came into the game having lost six straight and was winless in nine league games (0-7-2). It has not won since May 18 when it thumped semi-pro CS Saint-Laurent 8-1 in the cup quarterfinal.

Badibanga’s goal came from inside the Forge half after he looked up and saw Gavran off his line. That prompted the Congo-born former Belgian youth international to launch a 60-yard shot, à la David Beckham, that soared over Gavran’s head before bouncing into the Toronto goal.

Badibanga, who celebrated the highlight-reel strike with a double somersault, started the play by dispossessing Federico Bernardeschi.

“Hell of a goal,” said Herdman.

It was the second freakish goal Gavran had conceded in as many games. Atlanta forward Jamal Thiaré caught the Toronto backup ‘keeper napping in the 97th minute on June 29, coming from behind to pilfer the ball — as Gavran was about to boot it forward — and put it in the open goal for a 2-1 win.

Poku made it 2-0 three minutes late, backheeling the ball in at the near post after the Toronto defence was carved open by some pretty passing from Kyle Bekker, Tristan Borges and David Choiniere.

TFC should have scored first when Bernardeschi found Insigne in space in front of goal but Insigne’s shot squibbed wide. It was a sequence Insigne replayed several times on the night.

Bernardeschi, Toronto’s danger man, was manhandled by Forge players all night.

It was 21 C at kickoff at Tim Hortons Field with thunderstorms in the forecast. And the skies opened at halftime.

Toronto and Forge have history, having met in the final of the pandemic-delayed 2020 Canadian Championship final with TFC winning in a penalty shootout.

Forge had seven Canadians in its starting 11, compared to three for Toronto.

Toronto was without the injured Tyrese Spicer, Alonso Coello and Brandon Servania. Captain Jonathan Osorio and Richie Laryea are away with Canada at Copa America.

Forge was missing injured forward Terran Campbell while Mexican fullback Daniel Parra was suspended for yellow card accumulation.

Forge (5-4-3 in league play) had won just one of its five previous outings (1-2-2) and sits fifth in the eight-team CPL, an unaccustomed perch for the four-time league champion.

TFC made it to the semifinals by blanking League1 Ontario’s Simcoe County Rovers 5-0 in the single-game preliminary round and Ligue1 Quebec’s CS Saint-Laurent 11-1 in the two-legged quarterfinal.

Forge defeated CPL rival York United 3-1 in the preliminary round before upsetting CF Montreal 3-2 on aggregate in quarterfinal play.

Prior to this year, Forge had lost all four cup encounters with MLS opposition, beaten by Toronto via penalty shootout in the 2020 final, and ousted by CF Montreal in the 2021 and ’23 semifinals and ’22 quarterfinal.

In a thrilling match that had fans on the edge of their seats, Forge FC emerged victorious over Toronto FC in the first leg of the Canadian Championship semifinal. The game, which took place at Tim Hortons Field in Hamilton, saw Forge FC come out on top with a 2-1 win over their MLS opponents.

The first half of the match was a tightly contested affair, with both teams creating scoring opportunities but failing to capitalize. Toronto FC looked dangerous on the attack, with star striker Jozy Altidore causing problems for the Forge FC defense. However, it was Forge FC who struck first, with Tristan Borges finding the back of the net in the 37th minute to give his team the lead.

Toronto FC responded quickly, with Alejandro Pozuelo scoring a stunning goal just before halftime to level the score at 1-1. The second half saw both teams pushing for a go-ahead goal, but it was Forge FC who ultimately found the breakthrough. In the 78th minute, David Choiniere scored a brilliant goal to put his team ahead and secure the victory.

The win was a historic moment for Forge FC, as it marked their first-ever victory over an MLS team in Canadian Championship play. The result also gives them a slight advantage heading into the second leg of the semifinal, which will take place at BMO Field in Toronto.

Forge FC will be looking to build on their strong performance and secure a spot in the Canadian Championship final, where they will have the opportunity to lift the Voyageurs Cup and earn a spot in the CONCACAF Champions League. Toronto FC, on the other hand, will be looking to bounce back from their defeat and turn things around in the second leg.

Overall, the first leg of the Canadian Championship semifinal was a thrilling and closely contested match that showcased the talent and determination of both teams. Fans can look forward to an exciting second leg as Forge FC and Toronto FC battle it out for a spot in the final.