Toronto FC (5W-13L-6T, 21 points) fell 2-0 to Charlotte FC (12W-11L-2T, 38 points) on Saturday night at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina.
TFC Head Coach Robin Fraser made one change to the side that started against Nashville SC last weekend with Jonathan Osorio coming in for Kosi Thompson, as the club captain made his first club start since the two sides last met on May 31.
Both sides exchanged chances in the opening half but it was the hosts who came closest, striking the crossbar twice within the opening 19 minutes through Idan Toklomati and Adilson Malanda. Ultimately, neither team was able to find a breakthrough, leaving the score level at the break.
Charlotte FC opened the scoring in the 60th minute as Idan Toklomati nodded home a cross into the box from Brandt Bronico.
The Crown doubled their advantage five minutes later when Wilfried Zaha found Kerwin Vargas in space, who slotted the ball into the top left corner with a powerful finish.
Pep Biel nearly added to Charlotte’s lead but goalkeeper Sean Johnson produced a crucial save in the 84th minute to keep Toronto within reach.
The Reds pushed to close the gap but Charlotte ultimately held firm to secure the 2-0 victory and all three points from Bank of America Stadium.
Up next, Toronto FC will conclude their four-game road swing in a fortnight, visiting the Philadelphia Union on Saturday, August 9. Kick-off from Subaru Park in Chester, Pennsylvania is set for 7:30 p.m. ET and will be broadcast globally on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV.
LINEUPS
CHARLOTTE FC – Kristijan Kahlina; Bill Tuiloma (Nick Scardina 73’), Adilson Malanda, Tim Ream, Jahkeele Marshall-Rutty; Pep Biel (Nikola Petkovic 89’), Ashley Westwood (C), Brandt Bronico (Eryk Williamson 72’); Kerwin Vargas (Liel Abada 73’), Wilfried Zaha, Idan Toklomati (Tyger Smalls 89’)
Substitutes Not Used: David Bingham, Djibril Diani, Andrew Privett, Brandon Cambridge
TORONTO FC – Sean Johnson; Kobe Franklin, Kevin Long (Lazar Stefanović 89’), Sigurd Rosted, Richie Laryea; Maxime Dominguez (Markus Cimermancic 88’), Matty Longstaff (Tyrese Spicer 62’), Alonso Coello; Theo Corbeanu, Jonathan Osorio (C) (Deybi Flores 72’), Deandre Kerr
Substitutes Not Used: Luka Gavran, Kosi Thompson, Derrick Etienne Jr.
