Toronto FC started their defense of their Canadian Championship title on the right foot on Wednesday, traveling to the nation’s capital to defeat USL side Ottawa Fury FC 1-0 at TD Place Stadium in the first leg of their CanChamp semifinal series.

Jonathan Osorio scored the winner in the game’s opening stages, taking a pass from Ryan Telferinside the Fury penalty box and cleverly beating goalkeeper Maxime Crepeau to the near post with a swivel of the hips after setting himself to shoot towards the far stick. Despite some heavy late pressure from the Fury, it would prove to be enough down the stretch.

The win, and the away goal, put TFC firmly in the driver’s seat heading into next week’s second leg at BMO Field, while coach Greg Vanney also used this occasion to provide meaningful match minutes to younger and fringe players, including six Canadians in his starting 11.

Toronto were cheered on by a proud contingent of traveling fans, though it appeared they set off a flare that eventually made its way onto the pitch, prompting referee Silviu Petrescu to briefly stop play in the second half.

Goals

5' — TOR — Jonathan Osorio