TORONTO — Federico Bernardeschi scored a goal and set up another and Lorenzo Insigne had an assist in their MLS debut as Toronto FC celebrated their new Italian star with a 4-0 victory over expansion Charlotte FC on Saturday.
Captain Michael Bradley, who had 14 goals in his previous 258 MLS games, scored twice, with Jonathan Osorio adding one. Marc-Anthony Kaye had two assists as TFC led 4-0 at halftime.
Insigne and Bernardeschi took the break taking care of their fitness and Tuesday’s Canadian championship final in Vancouver. Job done and money well spent as TFC scored four goals in the first half of an MLS game for the first time in franchise history.
There was a party-like atmosphere at BMO Field thanks to the anticipation of the debut of the two Italians. The attendance was announced as a sellout of 29,067, well above the average of 23,676 for the previous 11 home games this season.
And fans loved what they saw in the first half.
While early on, it was as if someone had turned on the season in Toronto. But at 6-12-4, the road back to integrity is long. Toronto entered weekend play in 13th place in the 14-team Eastern Conference, five spots and seven points behind Charlotte (8-12-2).
Toronto has not recorded a shutout in the league since a scoreless draw at Colorado on September 25, 2021, allowing goals in 29 straight games.
The hosts came out with renewed energy, backed by a raucous crowd. Toronto led 2-0 after 10 minutes with goals from Osorio and Bradley.
Bernardeschi made it 3-0 in the 31st minute with an elegant left-footed strike from outside the box that beat goalkeeper Christian Cahlina en route to the corner of the net. The former Juventus winger was jubilant in the air and overwhelmed by his new teammates.
According to Opta, Bernardeschi, 28, is the first player to record a goal and an assist before halftime in his MLS debut since Freddy Montero for Seattle in 2009.
Insigne played provider in first-half stoppage time, deftly flicking the ball to the onrushing Bradley after Osorio sent off a Charlotte player. Bradley, who also scored twice against Philadelphia in the 2019 season opener, went past a defender and put it past the keeper for a 4-0 lead.
It was the first time Charlotte had conceded four goals in a league game.
The second half was less notable without the two Italian wings. Charlotte started to string passes and the race was much more even.
But things went from bad to worse for the visitors in the 65th minute when captain Christian Fuchs was shown a straight red card for cynically dragging down Jayden Nelson as the teenager edged past him with only the keeper to beat. Charlotte was furious that Toronto defenseman Donil Hendry wasn’t penalized immediately earlier for a hard tackle on Kamil Jozwiak in the Toronto box.
In the ensuing commotion, referee Philip Deutsch showed the Charlotte bench twice. Interim coach Christian Lattanzio had already been warned but remained on the touchline
Toronto finished with 10 players, with Kay forced off the field injured and coach Bob Bradley without any substitutions.
Insigne, 31, started on the left of Toronto’s attack with Bernardeschi on the right and Spanish forward Jimenez in the middle.
Insigne, while still finding his form, showed a touch of class with almost every possession, be it a low shot or a full-blooded cross.
It was a Caribbean carnival night at BMO Field, but the flavor was definitely Italian. There was a crowd outside the players’ entrance with Insigne signing autographs as he made his way inside – and a palpable buzz inside the lakeside venue.
Fans arrived inside to find Insigne flags, emblazoned with Il Magnifico and the Italian’s trademark heart-stopping goal celebration, on their seats. The Italian received a warm welcome when he came out for the warm-up and an even louder one when he was announced before kick-off.
The fans had more to cheer about with a Toronto goal in the fourth minute, with Osorio — back in the lineup after clearing the concussion protocols — in the right place at the right time when Guzman Carrujo’s attempt to clear the box ricocheted off the Canadian midfielder at the back of the network. It was Osorio’s sixth of the season and his 55th for TFC in all competitions.
It also ended Toronto’s 199-minute scoring drought. TFC failed to score in seven of their previous 12 matches.
Two minutes later, Bernardeschi fired just wide. The Italian played provider in the 10th minute and Bradley headed in his corner with a fine header at the near post for his second goal of the season. Both were headers, in contrast to his previous tally of 13 in his MLS career.
Jimenez’s goal in the 29th minute was disallowed for offside.
Henry came on early in the second half, starting his second stint with Toronto.
Insigne, the former Napoy captain, and Bernardeschi arrived during the league’s second transfer window, which opened on July 7. Both are out of contract with Insigne, who signed a pre-contract with TFC in January.
Insigne’s debut was delayed due to a calf problem, while Bernardeschi only arrived on 15 July. Italian Domenico Criscito made his fourth appearance on Saturday at left-back, coming on in the 76th minute.
Insigne’s four-year deal makes him the highest-paid player in the MSL. Chicago’s Xherdan Shaqiri topped the salary scale at $8.15 million this season.
Toronto’s backline remains a work in progress, with Cosey Thompson ($70,760) lining up alongside Lucas McNaughton ($86,100), Shane O’Neill ($358,000) and Crisito, the former Genoa captain whose salary has not yet been disclosed by the MLS Players Association.
The game marked the first meeting between Toronto and Charlotte.
Toronto was coming off back-to-back road losses to Montreal (1-0) and Chicago (2-0) in league play. It was winless in five (0-4-1) and registered just two wins in its previous 14 games (2-10-2).
Charlotte is within one point of the playoffs thanks in large part to its solid home record (7-3-0). He struggled on the road at 1-9-2, with the lone win coming on July 3 at Houston.
Charlotte have conceded two or more goals in nine of their 12 away games, compared to just once in their 10 home games
The team has already gone through one coach, parting ways with head coach Miguel Angel Ramirez on May 31 with the team at 5-8-1.
Charlotte were coming off a friendly win over England’s Chelsea, winning on penalties after the game ended 1-1 in front of 52,673 at Bank of America Stadium.
His last league appearance was last Saturday’s 3-2 loss at Inter Miami, in which Charlotte won 2-0 behind two goals from former Whitecap Yordi Reina, only to lose 3-2 in a 93rd-minute winner from Emerson Rodriguez. That snapped a two-game winning streak.
Toronto was without injured goalkeeper Quentin Westberg, midfielder Noble Okello and centre-back Chris Mavinga.
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This report by The Canadian Press was first published on July 23, 2022
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