Israeli Forward Dor Turgeman Celebrates Amid Antisemitic Chants and Faces On-Field Assault in MLS Match

Israeli striker Dor Turgeman continued his strong MLS season by scoring in a 2-2 draw against Montreal on the night between Saturday and Sunday, August 1-2, 2026. However, the match's most notable moment came immediately after his goal, when he deliberately celebrated in front of the opposing team's fans, who had been chanting antisemitic slogans such as "Death to Israel" and "Free Palestine" throughout the game. Turgeman responded by standing with open arms toward the crowd, provoking a chaotic scene on the pitch.

Following his celebration, Montreal's goalkeeper Sebastian Breza pushed Turgeman while bottles were thrown at him. Despite this, Turgeman continued his celebration, cupping his ear to the crowd, which led to another shove from Breza that knocked him to the ground, sparking a physical confrontation between the two players. Turgeman's goal was his team's second, but they eventually conceded two goals afterward. He was substituted in the 73rd minute, while injured teammate Ilay Feingold did not participate.

In another MLS match, Israeli player Tay Baribo scored his fourth consecutive goal and his 11th in 15 appearances this season, helping DC United secure a 2-2 draw against Nashville. Meanwhile, Idan Toklomati provided an assist, but Liel Abada and Charlotte lost 2-1 to Chicago, with Robert Lewandowski scoring his first two MLS goals.

These incidents highlight ongoing tensions and challenges faced by Israeli players in the MLS, both on and off the field.