Though Toronto FC were forced to settle for a single point in Saturday’s season opening 1-1 draw against FC Dallas, it was a big night for the club.

Not only was it the first match of the Bob Bradley era, but there were three Canadian teenagers in the starting lineup – Jahkeele Marshally-Rutty, Jayden Nelson, and Deandre Kerr, two players debuting in new positions – Jacob Shaffelburg and Marshall-Rutty, another young player, Noble Okello, making an impact off the bench, and for Jonathan Osorio, a TFC bannerman, there was a little bit of history to add to his ever-growing collection.

“Those guys played really well,” said Shane O’Neill of the trio of teenage starters. “A tough environment, Jahkeele made some big plays defensively, Jayden was a threat all night – that's only going to get better; Deandre, first game, debut, so it's always going to be a tough learning experience.”

“Now, for all of them, it’s just about staying grounded, staying the course,” he continued. “It’s such a long season, that's just the beginning, so you can't get too out of hand one way or the other. Deandre came off at half-time, so he’s probably a little disappointed, but in the grand scheme of things it's an awesome moment for him and it's a really good start.”

Nelson, 19, entering his third season with the first team, looked confident and dangerous.

“He was full of energy, he made some really good runs, he was confident with the ball,” said Coach Bradley. “The final moments on a few plays didn't work out perfectly, but Jayden is a good player and I want to see that type of personality, that bite, his skill. That's what he can bring and tonight we saw a lot of good things.”

Marshall-Rutty, 17, and Shaffelburg, 22, were drafted into unfamiliar positions at right-back and left-back respectively and after a few nervy passages early, grew into the role.

“Both those guys played very well,” assessed the coach. “Jacob didn’t have a perfect start. He's playing against Paul Arriola a lot, an experienced player with quickness and gets into good spots, but I thought he adjusted well in the game. Jahkeele, first game playing at right-back, looked really quite good.”

With Toronto struggling to maintain possession and move forward in the first half, Kerr, 19, was not able to showcase the abilities he flashed in preseason, but the experience of being out there, getting into the fray, suffering a heavy challenge or two, will only be good for the future. He was subbed at half-time with changes needed.

“Deandre never really got into the game, wasn't enough of a threat, but it's preseason and we're still working on the whole group,” said Bradley. “The guys that come out, that's never easy, but they understand it’s part of the process of us growing as a team.”

Okello, 21, came on in the 66th minute and nearly found a winner, challenging for a back-post header.

“Very young guys on the field today and this is a positive,” began Osorio. “First of all, for those individuals to have that chance and very positive for the club and for Bob trusting those guys. We have to trust the young guys, give them that belief that they can go in and do the job.”

“Shaffelburg playing left-back, which he hasn't really done, and Jahkeele playing right-back. Maybe they're not so familiar in this position in their careers yet. And for [the coach] to have that belief in them to go out there and to be learning on the fly as well,” he explained. “We know that these are young players and we have to live with the fact that they're going to make mistakes. It's normal. But Bob does a good job of emphasizing that they have to learn from those mistakes quickly and the quicker that they can do that the better they’re going to get, the more they improve, the more they help the team.”

“It was great. It's great all around. Those two played well, as well as Jayden. [He] had a great game. He's coming into his own, Noble came in, did well. Deandre did well for his first professional game, Osorio added. “All these guys are going to get better as they play, so it’s great for everybody.”

Ten seasons ago, in 2013, a 20-year-old Osorio made his debut for the club, coming on as a sub against Sporting KC on March 9, later that month he would score his first goal against the LA Galaxy.

Since he has scored a goal for his hometown club in each successive season. His equalizer on the stroke of half-time on Saturday made it ten-for-ten.

“It's not really something that I was thinking about going into this game or anything,” said Osorio post-match. “What contributes to that kind of stat is that I take it day-to-day and try to improve every day and I try to do my job every time I go on the field.”

“This is my duty as a player for this club and more so as somebody who grew up here. I love this club and everybody here knows that every game I'll give everything for us to win,” he reflected. “I didn't know about that stat, but it’s great, it’s good. That stat is only possible with the support of my teammates and the coaches that I’ve had here.”

Osorio has been a vital player for Toronto, as he will continue to be in this new era.

“I've watched Oso play an important role for TFC over the years,” said Bradley. “He's been a versatile player, a smart player, a player that makes guys around him better. He's always had this ability to get into the box in the right moment and score goals”

“Working with him every day has been fantastic,” he added. “And you see, on a night like tonight, how he's able to make so many different kinds of plays to help us through a tough game.”

Osorio has seen his role change over the years. Now, as one of the more experienced players, he embraces the change that comes with the passage of time. Once he was that young man trying to craft a career in the game, now he is the established pro passing on his lessons to those that come after.

“I try,” he replied, asked about the leadership role. “I know that I'm one of the veteran guys on the team, so I have to help. Whenever they need my help, whenever they ask, I'm always available, they know that.”

“I’m still at a stage in my career where I'm learning to lead in the best way possible,” Osorio continued. “I've had a very good example in Michael Bradley for a very long time now. I'm still learning to be a positive impact in the best way possible for each individual. Each individual is different, so the way you talk to them, the way you get them going is different. Those things I pay attention to and I'm trying to do that with the young guys.”

“They did great today and we’ve just got to keep pushing them and keep putting that belief in them so that they feel comfortable on the field to express themselves and play free. That's what it's about,” he added. “Players are at their best when they play free and aren't close-minded. This is a role that I'm going to try to keep improving on.”