Mark Smith-USA TODAY Sports

Kevin O'Toole scored the first goal of his MLS career in the 65th minute and New York City FC rallied to a 2-1 victory over visiting Toronto FC on Saturday night.

Santiago Rodriguez added his second goal of the campaign on an exceptional free-kick leveler in the first half.

Matt Freese made two stops to preserve the first points of the season for NYCFC (1-3-0, 3 points), who were reduced to 10 men shortly after O'Toole's winner when referee Muhammad Hassan dismissed Keaton Parks for his violent challenge on Toronto's Kobe Franklin.

Jahkeele Marshall-Rutty opened the scoring early for Toronto FC (2-1-1, 7 points), which had kept clean sheets in each of its first three matches under first-year manager John Herdman.

Luka Gavran made seven saves for the visitors as former NYCFC goalkeeper Sean Johnson remained sidelined with a thigh injury for the Reds.

NYCFC drew level 17 minutes after going behind on an opportunity that came when Mounsef Bakrar drew a foul on Toronto's Kevin Long about 27 yards from goal. Rodriguez stepped up and curled a right-footed shot over Toronto's defensive wall and into the top left corner beyond Gavran's dive.

The hosts continued to apply most of the pressure after drawing level and went in front 20 minutes after halftime.

Julian Fernandez provided the service with an audacious cross struck from the right with the outside of his left foot. It bent directly onto the run of O'Toole, whose firm header deflected off Gavran's fingertips and the underside of the crossbar on its way over the line.

Toronto was provided a lifeline when Hassan dismissed Parks following a video review, but rarely turned their numerical advantage into dangerous chances.

The exception came in the 90th minute when Ayo Akinola couldn't keep his one-time effort on target after reaching a cross from the left.

Toronto opened the scoring on a 7th-minute attack that began when defender Alonso Coello hammered a long hopeful ball in the general direction of Federico Bernardeschi down the right.

Bernardeschi couldn't reach it, but Marshall-Rutty chased the errant ball and found himself with it in the 18 alone on goal, before calmly rounding Freese and finishing into an open goal.

More must-reads:

TODAY'S BEST
Mavs get good news on Maxi Kleber ahead of Game 4
Patriots exec discusses team's approach to QB competition
Braves to promote No. 3 prospect for MLB debut Wednesday
Diamondbacks release veteran infielder
Packers' former first-round pick planning to make 'monster leap'
NFLPA finalizing proposal for major change to offseason schedule
LeBron James shouts out Jaylen Brown after Celtics advance to NBA Finals
Pacers collapse down the stretch as Celtics sweep ECF
Hall of Famer, beloved broadcaster Bill Walton dead at 71
Jason Robertson leads Stars to comeback win over Oilers in Game 3
Despite recent form, Rafael Nadal's legacy is still gold standard for tennis
Bengals coach offers significant injury update on QB Joe Burrow
MLB officials expect automated ball-strike system to be implemented in 2026
Vikings reportedly considered Justin Jefferson trade during NFL Draft
A matured Kyrie Irving is finally proving to be the star we all knew he could be
Insider: Sixers 'a threat' to sign LeBron James in free agency
Week 14 NASCAR rankings: Larson's no-show shakes up the running order
Three hitters Braves should target after losing Ronald Acuna Jr.
Shohei Ohtani shares major update on his pitching rehab
Status of Pacers' Tyrese Haliburton revealed for Game 4 of ECF

Want more sports news?

Join the hundreds of thousands of fans who start their day with Yardbarker's Morning Bark, the best newsletter in sports.