Toronto FC record the first home victory of the John Herdman era as Lorenzo Insigne's stunning game-winning goal led the Reds to a 1-0 victory over Charlotte FC at BMO Field on Saturday afternoon.

First Half:

Toronto FC began their 2024 home opener looking to continue the fine defensive form that saw the Reds preserve two clean sheets on the road. TFC goalkeeper Luka Gavran stood tall in the early stages of the game to keep the game scoreless with key saves in the 9^th and 18^th minute respectively. In the 39^th minute, Gavran was called into action and the Hamilton, Ontario native stepped up in dramatic fashion to deny a major goalscoring opportunity for the visitors. Gavran found himself one-on-one with Charlotte FC forward Enzo Copetti and saved the Argentinian’s low driven right-footed shot from the centre of the box. Few minutes later, the hosts generated a scoring opportunity but Kobe Franklin’s shot from the centre of the box was saved by Charlotte FC goalkeeper Kristijan Kahlina.

Second Half:

After enjoying more possession in the first half, the hosts created a scoring opportunity in the 61st minute when Federico Bernardeschi unleased a left footed shot from the centre of the box, only to be denied by Kahlina in net. With the game still level, TFC coach John Herdman introduced key offensive substitutions in striker Prince Owusu and midfielder Matty Longstaff, replacing Kobe Franklin and Alonso Coello. In the 80th minute, Lorenzo Insigne received a pass from debutant Matty Longstaff and produced a trademark ‘tiraggiro’ goal by drifting in from the left flank to release a right-footed curled effort into the top right corner of the Charlotte goal. The moment of magic from Insigne would prove to be the difference maker as the Reds held onto the clean sheet to secure all three points in their 2024 home opener.

With the result, Toronto FC have now recorded three consecutive clean sheets to begin an MLS campaign for the first time in club history and recorded three straight shutouts in MLS action for the first time since the club’s 2017 MLS Cup Playoffs run. The Reds’ two victories and a draw in 2024 also represents the Reds’ second-best start to an MLS campaign through the opening three matches (2-0-1; 7 points).

The Reds return to action on Saturday, March 16 at Yankee Stadium vs New York City FC.

LINEUPS

TORONTO FC – Luka Gavran; Shane O’Neill, Kevin Long (Sigurd Rosted 46’), Nicksoen Gomis; Kobe Franklin (Prince Owusu 61’), Deybi Flores, Alonso Coello (Matty Longstaff 62’), Raoul Petretta; Federico Bernardeschi, Lorenzo Insigne (Jahkeele Marshall-Rutty 87’), Jonathan Osorio (C)

Substitutes Not Used: Greg Ranjitsingh, Aimé Mabika, Cassius Mailula, Kosi Thompson, Ayo Akinola

CHARLOTTE FC – Kristijan Kahlina; Nathan Byrne, Adilson Malanda, Andrew Privett, Jere Uronen; Brecht Dejaegere, Ashley Westwood (C), Júnior Urso (Nikola Petković 87’); Kerwin Vargas (Nimfasha Berchimas 82’), Enzo Copetti (Patrick Agyemang 71’), Iuri Tavares (Scott Arfield 72’)

Substitutes Not Used: David Bingham, Bill Tuiloma, João Pedro Reginaldo, Jaylin Lindsey, Hamady Diop

NOTABLES:

• Matty Longstaff made his Toronto FC & Major League Soccer debut and registered his first assist for the Reds.
• Luka Gavran recorded his first clean sheet for Toronto FC.
• Toronto FC have now recorded three consecutive clean sheets to begin an MLS campaign for the first time in club history.
• Toronto FC’s third consecutive clean sheet in MLS action ties the Reds’ second longest clean sheet streak (3), a feat TFC previously recorded en route to lifting the 2017 MLS Cup when the club shut out Columbus Crew (twice) and Seattle Sounders in the MLS Cup Playoffs between November 21 and December 9, 2017.
• The Reds have now recorded back-to-back wins in MLS action for the first time since picking up consecutive wins Nashville SC and Portland Timbers in August 2022.
• Jonathan Osorio made his 300^th MLS appearance (MLS regular season and MLS Cup Playoffs) for Toronto FC, becoming the first player in club history to reach the milestone.
• Eleven years on from making his Toronto FC debut on March 9, 2013, midfielder Jonathan Osorio led his hometown club, Toronto FC, as captain in front of the home fans at BMO Field for the first time.
• Federico Bernardeschi made his 50th appearance for Toronto FC across all competitions (Major League Soccer, Canadian Championship and Leagues Cup).
• Following today’s win, Toronto FC’s MLS Home Opener record moves to 9W-6L-3T and the win marks the Reds’ first Home Opener victory since a 1-0 win against New York City FC on March 7, 2020.
• With two victories and a draw from the club’s opening three matches, the Reds’ start to the 2024 MLS campaign represents the club’s second-best start in club history (2-0-1; 7 points).

POSTMATCH SOUND CAN BE FOUND HERE