Italian stars show off their skills as Toronto FC hammers Charlotte FC
TORONTO — Federico Bernardeschi scored one goal and set up another and Lorenzo Insigne collected an assist on their MLS debut as Toronto FC celebrated its new Italian star power with a 4-0 romp over expansion Charlotte FC on Saturday.
Captain Michael Bradley, who had 14 goals in his previous 258 MLS games, scored twice with Jonathan Osorio adding a single. Mark-Anthony Kaye had two assists as TFC led 4-0 at halftime.
Insigne and Bernardeschi came off at the break, with an eye to their fitness and Tuesday’s Canadian Championship final in Vancouver. Job done and money well spent as TFC scored four goals in the first half of an MLS game for the first time in franchise history.
There was a party-like atmosphere at BMO Field thanks to anticipation over the two Italians’ debut. Attendance was announced as a sellout of 29,067, well above the average of 23,676 over the previous 11 home matches this season.