Toronto FC cruised to a convincing 4-0 win over Charlotte FC on Saturday night, with faces new and old leading the way.
Bagging his second brace for the club, captain Michael Bradley earned a spot in the Week 22 MLS Team of the Week, while a sparkling debut from Toronto's newest Designated Player, Federico Bernardeschi, was good for a spot on the bench. The Italian international wasted no time ingratiating himself to the BMO Field faithful, bagging a debut goal and assist in just 45 minutes of action.
The Reds dominated the proceedings from the opening whistle with all four goals coming in the first half of the match. The first of two Bradley goals came in the 10th minute courtesy of Bernardeschi's delivery off a corner which was met by the captain's glancing header at the near post.
Following that set-piece connection, the former Juventus winger would get on the scoresheet himself in the 31st minute. Bernardeschi's long-range strike put the ball just out of reach of Charlotte FC goalkeeper Kristijan Kahlina to put the Reds up by three.
The Reds put the result to bed in stoppage time of the first half with perhaps the best goal of the bunch. After a back heel touch from Italian superstar Lorenzo Insigne, Bradley broke through the Charlotte defence to chip over Kahlina and complete the comprehensive victory.
Full Week 22 MLS Team of the Week below:
F:Â Cristian Arango (LAFC), Romell Quioto (MTL)
M:Â Jordan Morris (SEA), Michael Bradley (TOR), Xherdan Shaqiri (CHI), Dru Yearwood (RBNY), Bongokuhle Hlongwane (MIN)Â
D:Â Jakob Glesnes (PHI), Henry Kessler (NE), Michael Boxall (MIN)
GK:Â Aljaz Ivacic (POR)
Coach:Â Gerhard Struber (RBNY)
Bench:Â Maarten Paes (DAL), Rafael Czichos (CHI), Sebastian Driussi (ATX), Maxi Moralez (NYC), Nicolas Lodeiro (SEA), Federico Bernardeschi (TOR), Dairon Asprilla (POR)