Federico Bernardeschi shined and Tyrese Spicer scored his first MLS goal to propel Toronto FC to a 2-0 victory over Atlanta United at BMO Field.
The hosts opened the scoring near the end of the first half through the number one overall pick in the 2024 MLS SuperDraft Tyrese Spicer. The 23-year-old drifted inside Atlanta’s penalty area before firing a shot near Brad Guzan’s near post, as the veteran goalkeeper got a finger to the strike but was unable to keep it out. It was Spicer’s first career goal in his first MLS start to put TFC up 1-0 in the first 45.
Toronto team captain Jonathan Osorio, who was substituted on in the second half, came so close to extending the home team’s lead by scraping the inside of Guzan’s post. However, the Reds managed to cash in their second goal of the night to put themselves in the driver’s seat with a commanding 2-0 lead. Alonso Coello’s saved effort fell into the path of Prince Osei Owusu, who made no mistake in front of an open goal.
The Reds took home all three points that may have came at a cost of an injured Lorenzo Insigne with fellow Italian Federico Bernardeschi flowing with confidence. Toronto truly look a different side this season compared to the one that finished at the bottom of the barrel last term.
On the other side, Atlanta looked dull for just about the entire contest and leave Toronto with plenty of questions for future international breaks without their stars Thiago Almada and Giorgos Giakoumakis.
GK: Brad Guzan – 5/10 – He was beaten at his near post for the opening goal which isn’t ideal and there wasn’t much else for him to do on the final goal scored.
RB: Brooks Lennon – 6/10 – Worked tirelessly up-and-down the right-hand side of the pitch but it was all for naught.
CB: Noah Cobb – 5/10 – Had some decent moments in the backline but was too timid on Spicer’s goal that showed his inexperience.
CB: Derrick Williams – 5/10 – Strong in the air but struggled in ground duels against the electric Bernardeschi.
LB: Ronald Hernandez – 6/10 – An average performance from the Venezuela international.
DM: Tristan Muyumba – 6.5/10 – Arguably Atlanta’s second-best player that did his part to give the Five Stripes a chance.
DM: Dax McCarty – 6/10 – Had a few tidy moments on the ball and helped connect the defense to the frontline.
RM: Saba Lobjanidze – 6.5/10 – Atlanta’s most threatening player who wasn’t far away from scoring an absolute beauty of a strike early on.
AM: Nick Firmino – 5/10 – Looked a little out of sorts in the first half in his first start but improved in the second 45.
LM: Tyler Wolff – 5.5/10 – Served up an inviting cross for Lobjanidze to latch on to but was quiet outside of that brief moment.
ST: Jamal Thiare – 6/10 – Was isolated for most of the game as he didn’t receive much service from his midfielders and wingers.
Substitutes
SUB: Xande Silva (58′ for Wolff) – 6/10 – Was unable to do much on the rare occasions he was in possession.
SUB: Edwin Mosquera (75′ for Firmino) – 6.5/10 – Provided an instant impact by driving at the Toronto defense — something Atlanta was lacking in the game.
SUB: Derrick Etienne Jr. (88′ for Lobjanidze) – N/A
Manager
Gonzalo Pineda – 5/10 – There won’t be too many disagreeing with his team selection given the international break and injuries, but Atlanta looked within themselves for nearly the entire game — a problem they encountered nearly all of last season away from home.
