Nick Hagglund's late brace helps Toronto erase three-goal deficit, earn draw with D.C. United

Two late goals from defender Nick Hagglund twice saved Toronto FC in a wild 4-4 draw against D.C. United on Wednesday night at BMO Field.

Down 3-0 after 55 minutes, Toronto scored three times in the next half-hour to complete the comeback, with Hagglund's 86th-minute header serving as the equalizer.

In the final minute, however, Yamil Asad put D.C. back ahead after finding himself on the left side of a wide-open Toronto net.

This set the stage for Hagglund once more, as the defender headed in another cross two minutes into stoppage time. Hagglund was an unlikely candidate for a brace, as the goals were just the third and fourth of his five-year MLS career.

Three first-half goals seemingly put D.C. on pace for an easy victory, as the team's pressing attack found plenty of space against a disorganized Toronto back line. Asad opened the scoring in the 12th minute, notching his fourth goal of the season after converting a Luciano Acosta cross.

Tom Szczerbowski/USA TODAY Sports

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These early struggles continued to be an issue for Toronto in the 17th minute, as the team was unable to get back after a corner attempt to stop United's counter-attack. Zoltan Stieber launched a long cross into the box and Paul Arriola headed the ball in for a highlight-reel score.

A defensive breakdown led to another United goal in the 45th, with striker Darren Mattocks collecting his fifth goal in his last six league games.

As one-sided as the first half was, however, the second half was almost a total reversal of form. Toronto midfielder Jonathan Osorio scored his team-leading fifth goal in the 57th minute to put his team on the board, followed by Victor Vazquez scoring in the 64th.

That set the stage for Hagglund's two equalizers in the wild final 15 minutes.