Toronto FC beat FC Dallas 3-1 thanks in part to a man of the match performance by Federico Bernardeschi at BMO Field Saturday. The 30-year-old Italian scored twice and provided the assist for Matty Longstaff to ensure the home side collected all three points in Toronto.
Samuel Junqua scored the FC Dallas consolation goal.
Toronto began the match slowly but grew into the match as the half-time approached. Former Juventus winger Bernardeschi found the net in the 39th minute after receiving the ball from Jonathan Osorio and sent a shot past Indonesian goalkeeper Maarten Paes.
Toronto FC beat FC Dallas 3-1 in their Major League Soccer game at BMO Field in Toronto, Ontario Saturday, May 4, 2024. Photo: Indi Kumala/Total Soccer News
But the winger’s celebration was cut short as referee Pierre-Luc Lauziere, called by the video assistant referee and then cancelled the goal for offside.
Bernardeschi wouldn’t be denied, however. In first half stoppage time Osorio won a penalty. Bernardeschi saw his resulting penalty kick saved by Paes. But the Italian veteran followed up on the rebound to provide Toronto with a 1-0 halftime lead.
The Italian scored his second in the 52nd minute with a beautiful goal. He cut inside from the right wing, then curled the ball with his favourite left foot into the top corner of the goal. Paes went up to save with his right hand but couldn’t get to the ball.
Bernardeschi closed his stellar performance by providing an assist for substitute Matty Longstaff in the 64th minute. Longstaff hammered the ball into the bottom right corner.
Sam Junqua scored a consolation goal for Dallas in the 87th minutes. He sent the ball into bottom left corner of Sean Johnson’s goal.
Toronto FC next play CS Saint-Laurent on Wednesday in Canadian Championship quarterfinal before MLS match against New York City FC on Saturday.
Toronto FC beat FC Dallas 3-1 in their Major League Soccer game at BMO Field in Toronto, Ontario Saturday, May 4, 2024. Photo: Indi Kumala/Total Soccer News
Toronto FC beat FC Dallas 3-1 in their Major League Soccer game at BMO Field in Toronto, Ontario Saturday, May 4, 2024. Photo: Indi Kumala/Total Soccer News
Toronto FC beat FC Dallas 3-1 in their Major League Soccer game at BMO Field in Toronto, Ontario Saturday, May 4, 2024. Photo: Indi Kumala/Total Soccer News
Toronto FC beat FC Dallas 3-1 in their Major League Soccer game at BMO Field in Toronto, Ontario Saturday, May 4, 2024. Photo: Indi Kumala/Total Soccer News
Toronto FC beat FC Dallas 3-1 in their Major League Soccer game at BMO Field in Toronto, Ontario Saturday, May 4, 2024. Photo: Indi Kumala/Total Soccer News
Toronto FC beat FC Dallas 3-1 in their Major League Soccer game at BMO Field in Toronto, Ontario Saturday, May 4, 2024. Photo: Indi Kumala/Total Soccer News
Toronto FC beat FC Dallas 3-1 in their Major League Soccer game at BMO Field in Toronto, Ontario Saturday, May 4, 2024. Photo: Indi Kumala/Total Soccer News
Toronto FC beat FC Dallas 3-1 in their Major League Soccer game at BMO Field in Toronto, Ontario Saturday, May 4, 2024. Photo: Indi Kumala/Total Soccer News
Toronto FC beat FC Dallas 3-1 in their Major League Soccer game at BMO Field in Toronto, Ontario Saturday, May 4, 2024. Photo: Indi Kumala/Total Soccer News
Toronto FC beat FC Dallas 3-1 in their Major League Soccer game at BMO Field in Toronto, Ontario Saturday, May 4, 2024. Photo: Indi Kumala/Total Soccer News
Toronto FC beat FC Dallas 3-1 in their Major League Soccer game at BMO Field in Toronto, Ontario Saturday, May 4, 2024. Photo: Indi Kumala/Total Soccer News
Toronto FC beat FC Dallas 3-1 in their Major League Soccer game at BMO Field in Toronto, Ontario Saturday, May 4, 2024. Photo: Indi Kumala/Total Soccer News
Toronto FC beat FC Dallas 3-1 in their Major League Soccer game at BMO Field in Toronto, Ontario Saturday, May 4, 2024. Photo: Indi Kumala/Total Soccer News
Toronto FC beat FC Dallas 3-1 in their Major League Soccer game at BMO Field in Toronto, Ontario Saturday, May 4, 2024. Photo: Indi Kumala/Total Soccer News