Toronto FC defeated Forge FC by a 1-0 scoreline in the 2024 TELUS Canadian Championship semi-final at BMO Field on Tuesday evening and advance to the tournament final on the away goal rule following the 2-2 aggregate score.

First Half:

Toronto FC Head Coach John Herdman made five changes from his starting eleven that defeated Houston Dynamo in Texas on Saturday night with Henry Wingo, Nicksoen Gomis, Raoul Petretta, Kosi Thompson and Lorenzo Insigne coming in for Sigurd Rosted, Kevin Long, Shane O’Neill, Matty Longstaff and Deybi Flores.

Trailing by a 2-1 scoreline after the first leg, Toronto FC settled well into the affair and created multiple opportunities to take the lead during the opening 45 minutes at BMO Field. TFC found the back of the net through Richie Laryea in the 25^th minute following a neat passing sequence, only for the linesman’s flag deeming Derrick Etienne Jr. to be offside in the build-up. A pair of attempts followed soon after with Henry Wingo’s left-footed curled high before Derrick Etienne Jr. forced Forge goalkeeper Jassem Koleilat into a fine, low save in the 26^th minute.

Five minutes later, Prince Owusu was unable to apply the finishing touch on Federico Bernardeschi’s low cross into the box as the sides remained goalless into the half-time interval.

Second Half:

The Reds flew out of the traps to begin the second half and scored the evening’s opening goal five minutes into the restart. On the play, Federico Bernardeschi’s cross towards the far post was powerfully volleyed home by Lorenzo Insigne in the 50^th minute, giving the Reds the one-goal lead on the night and tying the aggregate score at two.

TFC came within inches from doubling their advantage 15 minutes later when Federico Bernardeschi’s curled effort was tipped onto the post courtesy of an instinctive fingertip save from Jassem Koleilat in Forge’s net.

Despite the visitors’ best efforts, the resolute Reds comfortably saw out the remainder of the affair to run out as one-goal winners on the night. With the 1-0 victory and 2-2 aggregate scoreline, Toronto FC advance to the 2024 Canadian Championship Final on the away goal rule and will face the winner of the second semi-final between Vancouver Whitecaps and Pacific FC in late September.

Next up, Toronto FC host Philadelphia Union in MLS regular season action at BMO Field on Saturday evening. Kick-off from Toronto is set for 7:30 p.m. ET and will be broadcast globally on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV.

LINEUPS

TORONTO FC – Sean Johnson; Henry Wingo, Nicksoen Gomis (Kevin Long 62’), Raoul Petretta; Federico Bernardeschi, Kosi Thompson (Matty Longstaff 85’), Jonathan Osorio (C), Richie Laryea; Derrick Etienne Jr., Lorenzo Insigne (Deybi Flores 61’), Prince Owusu (Kobe Franklin 73’)

Substitutes Not Used: Luka Gavran, Aimé Mabika, Tyrese Spicer

FORGE FC – Jassem Koleilat; Malcolm Duncan, Alexander Achinioti-Jönsson, Garven Metusala, Daniel Parra; Alessandro Hojabrpour, David Choinière (Malik Owolabi-Belewu 73’), Tristan Borges (Opoku Ampomah 65’), Kyle Bekker (C) (Dominic Samuel 80’), Béni Badibanga; Jordan Hamilton (Terran Campbell 73’)

Substitutes Not Used: Christopher Kalongo, Noah Jensen, Matteo Schiavoni

MEDIA NOTES

• Henry Wingo made his first Canadian Championship appearance for Toronto FC.
• Sean Johnson recorded his eighth clean sheet of the 2024 season across all competitions (MLS regular season, Leagues Cup and Canadian Championship).
• Toronto FC advance to the 2024 TELUS Canadian Championship Final on away goals after the 1-0 victory and 2-2 aggregate scoreline.
• TFC qualify for the Canadian Championship Final for the 14^th time in club history.
• The Reds will face the winner of the second semi-final between Vancouver Whitecaps and Pacific FC in the 2024 TELUS Canadian Championship Final in late September.

POSTMATCH SOUND

• Link can be found **here**