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Globe and Mail
3 days ago
- Business
- Globe and Mail
Toronto FC's miserable May ends in 2-0 loss to Charlotte FC
Second-half goals by Pep Biel and Patrick Agyemang lifted Charlotte FC to a comfortable 2-0 win over Toronto FC in MLS play Saturday. It was largely one-way traffic in the first half with Charlotte, with the wind at its back, in control on a sunny, blustery evening before an announced crowd of 19,406 at BMO Field. The visitors outshot TFC 12-0 (4-0 in shots on target) in the first 45 minutes with Toronto goalkeeper Sean Johnson, celebrating his 36th birthday, keeping Toronto in the game. TFC began to show signs of life in the second half, only to fall behind to Biel's 56th-minute strike. Ivory Coast attacker Wilfried Zaha started the play, finding Liel Abada on the right edge of the penalty box. The Israeli forward cut inside, drawing defenders, before feeding an unmarked Biel for a tap-in in front of goal. Johnson continued to make big stops in the second half. But he could not stop Agyemang, on a solo run, in the 90th minute. It was the sixth goal of the season for the U.S. international. Charlotte outshot Toronto 18-7 (9-2) in shots on target. The game marked a return for Toronto fullback Richie Laryea, out since March 1 with a hamstring injury, and former Toronto winger Jahkeele Marshall-Rutty, on loan to Charlotte from CF Montreal, in his first game back at BMO Field since being traded away in August 2024 Laryea came off the bench to cheers in the 77th minute, his first action since TFC's second league game of the season. And the abrasive fullback wasted no time getting in the face of Zaha and Charlotte captain Ashley Westwood. Laryea was shown a yellow card nine minutes after coming on. May has been a month of missed opportunities for Toronto (3-10-4), with two wins and five losses. All the more wasteful given Toronto went 1-5-0 at BMO Field, collecting just three of a possible 18 points at home (a 2-0 victory over D.C. United on May 10 remains its lone home win of the season). Charlotte (8-8-1) went into weekend play in ninth place, the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference — five places and nine points ahead of Toronto. Charlotte also had a poor May, going 2-6-0 in all competitions before the Toronto visit. Charlotte went into Saturday's game with a 1-6-1 road record, which ranked 28th in the 30-team league. Toronto's 1-6-2 home record, meanwhile, ranked 29th. The visitors came close in the 18th minute with a diving Johnson stopping Biel's shot. Seconds later, defender Raoul Petretta's desperate goal-line clearance denied Agyemang. Johnson stopped Zaha from close range in the 30th and 35th minute. Toronto brought on Derrick Etienne Jr. and Sigur Rosted to start the second half and began to show signs of life. Captain Jonathan Osorio recorded Toronto's first shot, albeit off target, in the 53rd minute. And Charlotte goalkeeper David Bingham was finally called into action a minute later, coming off his line to stop Ola Brynhildsen Toronto was coming off a painful 2-1 mid-week loss to visiting Philadelphia, which scored 86th- and 92nd-minute goals for the win. Charlotte lost 4-2 mid-week at the New York Red Bulls after a 3-2 home win over Columbus last Saturday that snapped a five-game league losing streak. Toronto coach Robin Fraser made four changes to the starting 11 that faced Philadelphia with Lazar Stefanovic, Kosi Thompson, Maxime Dominguez and Lorenzo Insigne slotting in. It made for a young starting back three with 18-year-old Stefanovic and 21-year-old Zane Monlouis playing alongside the 28-year-old Petretta. Winger Federico Bernardeschi, who like Thompson was suspended mid-week, did not dress due to a muscle strain. Bingham, making his first league start since October 2023, replaced Kristijan Kahlina, last year's MLS Goalkeeper of the year, in the Charlotte goal. Kahlina's form has been spotty of late. Charlotte, which joined the league in 2022, recorded its second-ever win north of the border (the first came April 12 in a 1-0 decision at CF Montreal). It is now 2-5-2 in Canada. Saturday's victory was also Charlotte's 50th in all competitions (50-50-29). Toronto was missing injured defenders Nicksoen Gomis, Henry Wingo and Kobe Franklin and forward Deandre Kerr. Saturday's game was TFC's annual Indigenous Heritage Night. It also marked the working debut of one of the four new video screens to be installed ahead of next year's World Cup — one at each corner of the stadium. The two screens at the north end are now in place but only the northwest one is working at this time. With the FIFA international window looming, Toronto doesn't play again until June 13 at Los Angeles FC. Seven of TFC's 17 remaining games after the break are on the road.
National Post
3 days ago
- General
- National Post
Toronto FC's miserable May ends in 2-0 loss to visiting Charlotte FC
Article content TORONTO — Second-half goals by Pep Biel and Patrick Agyemang lifted Charlotte FC to a comfortable 2-0 win over Toronto FC in MLS play Saturday. Article content Article content It was largely one-way traffic in the first half with Charlotte, with the wind at its back, in control on a sunny, blustery evening before an announced crowd of 19,406 at BMO Field. The visitors outshot TFC 12-0 (4-0 in shots on target) in the first 45 minutes with Toronto goalkeeper Sean Johnson, celebrating his 36th birthday, keeping Toronto in the game. Article content Article content TFC began to show signs of life in the second half, only to fall behind to Biel's 56th-minute strike. Ivory Coast attacker Wilfried Zaha started the play, finding Liel Abada on the right edge of the penalty box. The Israeli forward cut inside, drawing defenders, before feeding an unmarked Biel for a tap-in in front of goal. Article content Johnson continued to make big stops in the second half. But he could not stop Agyemang, on a solo run, in the 90th minute. It was the sixth goal of the season for the U.S. international. Article content Charlotte outshot Toronto 18-7 (9-2) in shots on target. Article content The game marked a return for Toronto fullback Richie Laryea, out since March 1 with a hamstring injury, and former Toronto winger Jahkeele Marshall-Rutty, on loan to Charlotte from CF Montreal, in his first game back at BMO Field since being traded away in August 2024 Article content Laryea came off the bench to cheers in the 77th minute, his first action since TFC's second league game of the season. And the abrasive fullback wasted no time getting in the face of Zaha and Charlotte captain Ashley Westwood. Article content Laryea was shown a yellow card nine minutes after coming on. Article content May has been a month of missed opportunities for Toronto (3-10-4), with two wins and five losses. All the more wasteful given Toronto went 1-5-0 at BMO Field, collecting just three of a possible 18 points at home (a 2-0 victory over D.C. United on May 10 remains its lone home win of the season). Article content Charlotte (8-8-1) went into weekend play in ninth place, the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference — five places and nine points ahead of Toronto. Charlotte also had a poor May, going 2-6-0 in all competitions before the Toronto visit. Article content Article content Charlotte went into Saturday's game with a 1-6-1 road record, which ranked 28th in the 30-team league. Toronto's 1-6-2 home record, meanwhile, ranked 29th.
Toronto Star
25-05-2025
- Sport
- Toronto Star
Nashville SC holds on to edge Toronto FC 2-1 in entertaining MLS contest
TORONTO - It was a night of milestones for Toronto FC on Saturday. The Major League Soccer franchise marked its 600th regular-season game. Goalkeeper Sean Johnson moved into the league's top five in regular-season minutes played. And captain Jonathan Osorio, returning from injury, scored his 50th career regular-season goal. Sadly for TFC fans, it all happened in a 2-1 loss to Nashville SC. English forward Sam Surridge scored twice in the second half and Nashville staved off a late TFC comeback, including Osorio's 91st-minute strike, to extend its unbeaten run to eight games in all competitions (6-0-2). Two goals, one from each side, in the dying minutes made for a frenzied finale before an announced crowd of 19,504 at BMO Field. ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW 'What I said to the players is the sort of intensity we saw at the end, we need to see that throughout the whole game,' said disappointed Toronto coach Robin Fraser. 'I just didn't think we were quite sharp enough to begin.' Fraser liked the effort from his team. But once again lapses cost Toronto, which slipped to 3-8-4 on the season and has collected five out of a possible 24 points at home this season. The first half, entertaining while short on scoring chances, saw both teams probe the opposition defence with Nashville having the only shot on target. The contest came alive in the second half. Toronto's first shot on target, in the 53rd minute, was a doozy. Lorenzo Insigne floated a cross into the Nashville penalty box that Norwegian striker Ola Brynhildsen, contorting his body like a gymnast, turned into spectacular bicycle kick. Nashville goalkeeper Joe Willis made the save, however. Nashville (8-4-3) went one better in the 57th minute with Andy Najar sending a long ball to Hany Mukhtar behind the Toronto defence. The former MLS MVP deftly redirected the ball across the goal for Surridge to knock home his seventh of the season. Mukhtar could have had two goals himself in the second half but was denied by the 35-year-old Johnson, whose 37,326 regular-season minutes played total trails only Stefan Frei, Dax McCarty, Kyle Beckerman and leader Nick Rimando (46,336). ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW Toronto did not fold, with Brynhildsen and Insigne both coming close around the 70-minute mark. And the home side kept coming. Substitute Tyrese Spicer came close with a blast in the 83rd minute. It looked like Surridge had ended the drama in the 89th minute with an insurance goal as Toronto's defence was cut open. But Osorio, returning from injury, scored one minute into stoppage time with a rocket of a shot from outside the penalty box to make things interesting. 'It kind of sucks. I wish it could have been a game-winning goal or at least a game-tying goal to get a result,' said Osorio, who has 67 goals in all competitions for TFC. Osorio, who also has 53 career regular-season assists, joins the likes of FC Dallas' Luciano, Acosta, the Los Angeles Galaxy's Diego Fagundez and Seattle's Albert Rusnak in the league's select 50-goal, 50-assist club. The 32-year-old Osorio came off the bench in the 63rd minute to cheers, his first appearance since suffering a partially dislocated shoulder early on in the Telus Canadian Championship penalty shootout loss to Montreal on April 30. Saturday marked his franchise-leading 381st game in all competitions for Toronto. Nashville outshot Toronto 15-10 (6-4 in shots on target). Nashville entered weekend play in fourth place in the Eastern Conference, nine places and 11 points ahead of Toronto. ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW Coming off a record 6-1 victory at CF Montreal, Toronto had won two of its previous three games (2-0-1). And after an 0-4-4 start to the season, Toronto had gone 3-3-0 in league play before Saturday. Toronto has compiled a 180-265-155 regular-season record since entering MLS in 2007. Eighty-five of those wins came between 2015 and 2020, when Toronto made the playoffs five out of the six seasons — its only post-season appearances to date. Toronto reached the MLS Cup final in 2016, '17 and '19, hoisting the trophy in 2017 when it also won the Canadian Championship and Supporters' Shield (for the best regular-season record). TFC's regular-season record is 33-83-35 since last making the playoffs in 2020. Fraser made just one change to his starting lineup with Theo Corbeanu coming in for Tyrese Spicer. Toronto was without injured defenders Richie Laryea, Nicksoen Gomis, Raoul Petretta and Kobe Franklin, midfielder Markus Cimermancic and forward Deandre Kerr. The injuries prompted a second career MLS start for 18-year-old Lazar Stefanović, a centre back pressed into action at left fullback where he acquitted himself well against Canadian international Jacob Shaffelburg. It was Canadian Armed Forces Appreciation Night at BMO Field with close to 300 Canadian Armed Forces members in attendance. This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 24, 2025.
Yahoo
25-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Sam Surridge scores twice in second half, leading Nashville past Toronto 2-1
Toronto FC goalkeeper Sean Johnson (1) tries to head the ball away from Nashville SC's Hany Mukhtar (10) after getting caught outside his area during first-half MLS soccer match action in Toronto, Saturday, May 24, 2025. (Chris Young/The Canadian Press via AP) (ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Toronto Sun
25-05-2025
- Sport
- Toronto Sun
Nashville SC holds on to edge Toronto FC in entertaining contest
Published May 24, 2025 • 3 minute read Toronto FC goalkeeper Sean Johnson (right) battles for the ball with Nashville SC's Hany Mukhtar (10) after getting caught outside his area during first half MLS action in Toronto, on Saturday May 24, 2025. Photo by Chris Young / The Canadian Press Reviews and recommendations are unbiased and products are independently selected. Postmedia may earn an affiliate commission from purchases made through links on this page. TORONTO — English forward Sam Surridge scored twice in the second half and Nashville SC held on for a 2-1 win over Toronto FC in MLS play Saturday, extending its unbeaten run to eight games in all competitions (6-0-2). This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account Two goals, one from each side, in the dying minutes made for a frenzied finale before an announced crowd of 19,504 at BMO Field. The first half, entertaining while short on scoring chances, saw both teams probe the opposition defence with Nashville having the only shot on target in the first 45 minutes. The contest came alive in the second half. Toronto's first shot on target, in the 53rd minute, was a doozy. Lorenzo Insigne floated a cross into the Nashville penalty box that Norwegian striker Ola Byrnhildsen, contorting his body like a gymnast, turned into spectacular bicycle kick. Nashville goalkeeper Joe Willis made the save, however. Nashville (8-4-3) went one better in the 57th minute with Andy Najar sending a long ball to Hany Mukhtar behind the Toronto defence. The former MLS MVP deftly redirected the ball across the goal for Surridge to knock home for his seventh of the season. Your noon-hour look at what's happening in Toronto and beyond. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Mukhtar could have had two goals himself in the second half but was denied by Toronto goalkeeper Sean Johnson. Toronto (3-8-4) did not fold, however, with Brynhildsen and Insigne both coming close around the 70-minute mark. And the home side kept coming. Substitute Tyrese Spicer came close with a blast in the 83rd minute. It looked like Surridge had ended the drama in the 89th minute with an insurance goal as Toronto's defence was cut open. But TFC captain Jonathan Osorio, returning from injury, scored one minute into stoppage time with a rocket of a shot from outside the penalty box to make things interesting. It was Osorio's 50th career goal, along with 53 assists. Nashville entered weekend play in fourth place in the Eastern Conference, nine places and 11 points ahead of Toronto. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Coming off a record 6-1 victory at CF Montreal, Toronto had won two of its previous three games (2-0-1). And after an 0-4-4 start to the season, Toronto had gone 3-3-0 in league play before Saturday. Saturday's game was the 600th regular-season outing for the franchise, which has compiled a (180-265-155) record since entering MLS in 2007. Eighty-five of those wins came between 2015 and 2020, when Toronto made the playoffs five out of the six seasons — its only post-season appearances to date. Toronto reached the MLS Cup final in 2016, '17 and '19, hoisting the trophy in 2017 when it also won the Canadian Championship and Supporters' Shield (for the best regular-season record). TFC's regular-season record is 33-83-35 since last making the playoffs in 2020. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Much of Nashville's success has come at home where it is 6-1-2. It came to Toronto with a 1-3-1 road record. Toronto coach Robin Fraser made just one change to his starting lineup with Theo Corbeanu coming in for Tyrese Spicer. Osorio came off the bench in the 63rd minute to cheers, his first appearance since suffering a partially dislocated shoulder early on in the Telus Canadian Championship penalty shootout loss to Montreal on April 30. Toronto was without injured defenders Richie Laryea, Nicksoen Gomis, Raoul Petretta and Kobe Franklin, midfielder Markus Cimermancic and forward Deandre Kerr. The injuries prompted a second career MLS start for 18-year-old Lazar Stefanović, a centre back pressed into action at left fullback where he was up against Shaffelburg. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Defender Daniel Lovitz, another former Toronto player, started for Nashville. The visitors were missing defenders Julian Gaines and Taylor Washington, midfielder Gaston Brugman and forwards Tyler Boyd and Maximus Ekk. U.S. international defender Walker Zimmerman, listed as questionable, started on the bench. Nashville improved its career record against Toronto to 4-2-3 in regular-season play with a 2020 playoff win as well. Nashville is unbeaten in its last five games with Toronto (3-0-2) dating back to a 4-3 loss in August 2022. Toronto's last home win over Nashville was a 2-1 decision in September 2021. It was Canadian Armed Forces Appreciation Night at BMO Field with close to 300 Canadian Armed Forces members in attendance. Toronto & GTA Ontario Editorial Cartoons Toronto & GTA Other Sports
