Lorenzo Insigne scores goal, sets up another as Toronto FC defeats D.C. United
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TORONTO — Lorenzo Insigne scored his first MLS goal in 11 months and set up another as Toronto FC defeated D.C. United 2-0 on Saturday for its first home win this season.
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It was one-way traffic in the first half with Toronto launching 14 shots (including five on target) to one for D.C., whose off-target shot came in stoppage time. But TFC's goal-scoring drought continued until the 49th minute when a diving Insigne headed home Theo Corbeanu's cross on a rapid-fire Toronto counter-attack.
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It was the first league goal for the 33-year-old Italian since June 15, 2024, in a 4-1 loss to Chicago. Insigne, whose US$15.4-million salary was second only to Miami's Lionel Messi in MLS last season, now has 15 goals in 62 career MLS appearances.
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Toronto didn't even bother to dress insigne for the first four games of the season, looking to unload him. But he earned his keep Saturday
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Toronto (2-6-4) had not scored at home in league play in 488 minutes, dating back to Deandre Kerr's goal March 15 in a 2-1 loss to the Chicago Fire. TFC came into the game 0-3-2 in league play at BMO Field this season and had not won there since a 2-1 decision over Austin FC on Sept. 14.
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Insigne also set up the second goal in the 66th minute, firing in a dangerous cross that sliding defender Lucas Bartlett put into his own net, attempting to prevent the ball reaching Toronto forward Ola Brynhildsen.
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D.C. United (3-6-3) tried to rally after going down 2-0 but Toronto 'keeper Sean Johnson was up to the task before an announced crowd of 20,236.
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With fellow Italian Federico Bernardeschi showing a spring in his step and Insigne on the mark, Toronto finally bared its teeth on offence.
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More than a few missed it.
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Supporters groups, who normally populate the south stand of BMO Field gathered outside the northeast corner of the stadium in protest as the game kicked off. They carried a banner that read 'Empty Words Empty Seats,' a seeming reference to the message earlier this week to season ticket-holders from MLSE president and CEO Keith Pelley, who urged fans to stick with the team as its rebuild continues.
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Toronto was coming off back-to-back shutout home losses to NYCFC and New England that snapped a four-game unbeaten run (1-0-3).
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After going unbeaten in its first four games (1-0-3) of the season, which included a 2-2 draw with visiting Toronto in the season opener, D.C. lost four straight during which it was outscored 14-2. But the team seemed to have found its footing ahead of the visit north of the border, winning three of its last four (3-1-0) in all competitions.
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