Toronto FC (6W-5L-1T, 19 points) fell to a 2-3 loss to New York City FC (4W-5L-2T, 17 points) at BMO Field on Saturday evening.
First Half:
Toronto FC made seven changes from the midweek side against CS Saint-Laurent in the 2024 Canadian Championship quarter-final with Sean Johnson, Kevin Long, Federico Bernardeschi, Deybi Flores, Tyrese Spicer, Derrick Etienne Jr and Prince Owusu replacing Luka Gavran, Kosi Thompson, Aimé Mabika, Kobe Franklin, Alonso Coello, Cassius Mailula and Deandre Kerr in the starting eleven.
Up against his former club, goalkeeper Sean Johnson was called into action early to make an important save from Malachi Jones' goal-bound effort in the 19th minute. Few minutes later however, the referee pointed to the penalty spot for the visitors after a video review adjudged Matty Longstaff to have handled the ball in the box on a NYCFC attack. Santiago Rodriguez stepped up from the spot and made no mistake in handing his side the lead and match opener.
Late in the opening half, the Boys in Blue doubled their advantage when Malachi Jones scored his first MLS goal to give the visitors a two-goal leading heading into the break.
Second Half:
Seeking a response, the Reds capitalized on their early second-half dominance to pull one back when Matty Longstaff drew a fine save from goalkeeper Matt Freese, only for Federico Bernardeschi to pounce and fire home the rebound in the 55th minute.
The hosts and the BMO Field faithful were galvanized further in the 76th minute when Lorenzo Insigne made his return to highly-anticipated return to action, after missing the club’s last eight matches across all competitions. The Italian made an almost immediate impact upon entering, forcing Freese into an important save with his first touch and effort of the night.
Moments later, NYCFC restored their two-goal advantage on the night when a neat passing sequence from the visitors resulted in Andrés Perea scored in the 78th minute.
The Reds pulled a late goal back when Raoul Petretta’s side-foot volley from Matty Longstaff’s long ball found the back of the net in the 89th minute, before the visitors held on for the road win at BMO Field.
Next up, Toronto FC hit the road to face Nashville SC in MLS regular season action on Wednesday evening. Kick-off from GEODIS Park in Nashville, Tennessee is set for 8:30 p.m. ET and will be available to watch on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV globally.
LINEUPS
TORONTO FC – Sean Johnson; Sigurd Rosted (Raoul Petretta 64’), Kevin Long (Kosi Thompson 79’), Nicksoen Gomis; Federico Bernardeschi, Matty Longstaff, Deybi Flores (Alonso Coello 76’), Tyrese Spicer; Jonathan Osorio (C), Derrick Etienne Jr. (Lorenzo Insigne 76’), Prince Owusu
Substitutes Not Used: Luka Gavran, Aimé Mabika, Kobe Franklin, Cassius Mailula, Deandre Kerr
NEW YORK CITY FC – Matt Freese; Tayvon Gray, Thiago Martins (C), Birk Risa, Kevin O'Toole; Andrés Perea, James Sands, Hannes Wolf (Strahinja Tanasijević 90’), Santiago Rodríguez (Andres Jasson 90+5), Malachi Jones (Agustín Ojeda 69’); Alonso Martínez (Keaton Parks 69’)
Substitutes Not Used: Luis Barraza, Mitja Ilenič, Jovan Mijatović, Julián Fernández, Talles Magno
NOTABLES:
- Federico Bernardeschi has now been involved in seven of Toronto FC’s last 10 goals, recording four goals and three assists, across Major League Soccer and Canadian Championship action.
- Raoul Petretta scored his first goal for Toronto FC.
POSTMATCH SOUND
- Link to be added.
