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Daniel Ayik

Defensive Persistence Key In Toronto FC's First Win of The 2024 MLS Campaign

Toronto FC defeated the New England Revolution 1-0 on Matchday 2 in what seems to be their first road win in forever. After checking the notes, TFC fans have a reason to feel this way as their last road victory came during the 2022 MLS campaign when the Reds defeated Charlotte FC 2-0 at the Bank of America Stadium on Aug. 27, 2022.

The match was controlled by the Revolution from kickoff until the final whistle where Toronto FC aimed to take advantage of the few chances that they were going to get. Two of which came within 4 minutes of each other where Italian DP Lorenzo Insigne's shot from outside the box was narrowly wide in the 9th minute. The second chance of the match in the 13th minute was a bigger one where German striker Prince Owusu mistimed a header that was on the receiving end from a ball by Shane O'Neil who has pushed up the flanks more often this season given Coach Herdman's favoured 3-back formation.

Toronto's best run of play came in the 26th minute where Jonathan Osorio nearly tallied his first of the campaign if not from a solid save by Slovakian keeper Henrich Ravas. TFC however were able to keep the ball in New England's third where a deflected shot from Federico Bernardeschi found the boot of the little Italian where in a moment of class, he nonchalantly chipped the ball into the back of the net, scoring Toronto FC's first goal in 155 days and 5 MLS matches. If his stunning goal didn't make TFC fan's hearts skip a beat maybe his celebration did where he faked a hamstring injury, something that was definitely inspired by Bayer Leverkusen midfielder, Granit Xhaka.

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The following 20 minutes of the first half was rather uneventful while much of the half-time talk regarded a VAR check for the Revolution after TFC midfielder Deiby Flores clipped 18-year old Esmir Bajraktarevic in the box. However, referee Wesley Costa deemed that the Honduran connected with the ball first. Goal scorer Lorenzo Insigne was also taken off at the half. A decision that planned beforehand given that "Lorenzo and turf don't go well," according to Coach Herdman.

New England threw the kitchen sink at TFC during the second half whose defensive persistence was able to secure back to back clean sheets for the first time since Matchday 4 and 5 of 2023. The first of many notable defensive moments in the second half came by the way of Nicksoen Gomis, the frenchman who was making his debut for the club. He made a goal saving tackle in the 69th minute against New England DP Tomás Chancalay who was 1-1 with GK Sean Johnson. When asked about his performance, Coach Herdman responded that he "looks like a seasoned veteran, has huge self belief, and brings a different presence to the backline." Speaking of the veteran goalkeeper, his action was just getting started in the 71st minute where he stopped a Carles Gil curling attempt that was primed to nestle into the top right corner of Toronto's goal.

The American GK truly earned his wages in the 92nd minute where his quick thinking stopped a chance that would have been allowed by nearly every MLS keeper. “Saves like that from Sean Johnson are gonna keep us there,” responded John Herdman when asked about the significance of the save. “He made some good saves last week and he’ll continue to make good saves – that’s what teams that win championships do,” the gaffer continued.

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Looking forward, John Herdman replicated captain Jonathan Osorio's words saying that this victory was "just one small step on a big climb that needs to be made this season." That being said, Coach Herdman looks forward to switching gears and play on grass as the Reds will be returning the BMO Field for their home opener this Saturday. TFC will be taking on Charlotte FC who also have one win and one draw to begin the 2024 campaign. The Reds currently lead the head-head with two wins from four matches. A notable storyline will be the return of former Canada Men's National Team midfielder, Scott Arfield, who fell out of favour from Coach Herdman's squad amidst an appearance in the 2022 FIFA World Cup.

Cover Photo credited to /Toronto FC

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