TORONTO, ON – The Toronto FC Canadians played brightly at BMO Field on Saturday. They were responsible for both the goals against Atlanta United FC. What was even more promising was how TFC started the game, which has not always been the case.
The Toronto FC Canadians were a big reason for a win at BMO Field
Three keys to the game
Full Game Summary: #TFCLive played very well defensively and goalkeeper, Quentin Westberg, also played well.
Two Canadians scored for #TheyWillSeeRed.#UniteandConquer had 15 shots but only had two shots on target.#TORvATL | 2-1 | #MLS
— Last Word on Soccer (@LastWordSC) June 26, 2022
First half
8’ #TFCLive scores! What a goal from Jonathan Osorio as he beats a #UniteandConquer player, before putting the ball into the net! Jayden Nelson was credited with the nice assist. #TorontoFC#TORvATL | 1-0 | #MLSpic.twitter.com/72R3sPAoZa
— Last Word on Soccer (@LastWordSC) June 26, 2022
Toronto came into the game with a purpose. They were positive and were making plays happen. In this instance, Jayden Nelson made a heads-up play and found Jonathan Osorio in the box. Osorio then got past an Atlanta player and past Atlanta goalkeeper, Rocco Ríos Novo, to give TFC the early 1-0 lead at BMO Field.
Atlanta United FC had a chance to score in the 11-minute, but there were offside from a set-piece. Quentin Westberg made a great save in the 28-minute. Michael Bradley won a challenge and started the play. Jesús Jiménez looked like he had a great chance, but he was offside. A deflection of Nelson’s shot by Franco led to a corner for TFC in the 37-minute. Bradley found Nelson. Marcelino Moreno’s shot was magnificently blocked by Mavinga. Bradley flicked the ball away. Pozuelo’s shot went to the netting in the 45+1-minute of play, an excellent pass from Jiménez.
Second half
57’ Luiz Araújo ties the game for #UniteandConquer! He beats #TFCLive’s Chris Mavinga and puts the ball into the back of the net! Franco Ibarra was credited with the assist. #MajorLeagueSoccer #TORvATL | 1-1 | #MLS pic.twitter.com/Nyir79bC7q
— Last Word on Soccer (@LastWordSC) June 26, 2022
Luiz Araújo was really playing well in the second half for Atlanta. This included beating Chris Mavinga and getting his shot past TFC goalkeeper, Quentin Westberg. This was also one of the few mishaps in what was an impressive defensive performance by Toronto. Credit should also be given to Franco Ibarra, who found Araújo for the goal.
78’ #TFCLive takes the lead! What a strike by Ralph Priso, who puts the ball into the bottom left corner! #TorontoFC#TORvATL | 2-1 | #MLS pic.twitter.com/PocTXau6cF
— Last Word on Soccer (@LastWordSC) June 26, 2022
Jacob Shaffelburg got a great pass from Alejandro Pozuelo, who in the 75-minute, had his shot deflected. Araujo’s shot was off-target. Shaffelburg pass to Kerr was blocked by Atlanta’s Aiden McFadden. However, TFC would score straight after that play. Following a corner, Ralph Priso got the ball and drove it to the bottom corner. The Atlanta goalkeeper had no chance of saving that shot, which ended up being the game-winner.
Shaffelburg did not handle the ball well in the 81-minute. Marshall-Rutty came up with a great defensive challenge in the 83-minute. Deandre Kerr made a great individual run to get a great scoring chance, but he just missed the net. Toronto got a critical win at home and earned their second-straight win.
Game Analysis
Atlanta United FC, like Toronto FC, made some key defensive plays. One was the defensive play to prevent Jiménez to get a good scoring chance. They also had a good spell to start the second half. Araujo was a key part of that attack, getting one goal, and almost scoring a second goal. However, Toronto has continued its momentum from the Canadian Championship. After winning the 2020 Voyageurs Cup champions and also making the 2022 Canadian Championship Final with a 4-0 win over CF Montreal, those wins have created confidence for the TFC team in the MLS season.
Toronto will have two games within the next seven days. The first one was on Wednesday, July. 2 at 7:30 p.m. ET. This will be against Trillium Cup rivals, Columbus Crew SC. They will then face the Seattle Sounders FC at 7:30 p.m. ET. This game will take place at BMO Field. Atlanta United FC’s next two games are on the road. They will face the New York Red Bulls at Red Bull Arena at 8:00 p.m. This game will be taking place on Thursday, June. 30 at 8:00 p.m. ET. They will then play against NYCFC on Sunday, July 3 at 5:00 p.m. ET.
The game against Columbus will be shown live on Bally Sports Ohio and the game against Seattle on FOX 13+. Both games will also be televised nationally in Canada on TSN. This is Atlanta’s game against the Red Bulls will be shown live on MSG and Bally Sports Southeast while the NYCFC game at Yankee Stadium will be shown live on the YES Network and Bally Sports South. Lastly, both Atlanta games will be shown live on MLS LIVE on DAZN.
Three takeaways, including Toronto FC Canadians playing a huge role in the win:
The kids are alright 😏👏 https://t.co/c4VfpPUqcn
— Toronto FC (@TorontoFC) June 26, 2022
Lorenzo Insigne witnessed a win at BMO Field. A new Designated Player signing, Lorenzo Insigne, was in the house to witness TFC win 2-1 against Atlanta United FC at BMO Field.
Canadians played a pivotal role in TFC’s win over Atlanta United FC. On the first goal, Deandre Kerr did a good job of finding Jonathan Osorio, who got past an Atlanta player and scored. Then, on the second goal, Ralph Priso delivered a fantastic strike that hit the bottom corner of the net. Lastly, Jahkeele Marshall-Rutty made a good defensive play in the second half. Also, as seen above, it shows the progress these players are making for their teams.
The defence and goalkeeping were spectacular. The defence, in particular in the second half, was fantastic. Chris Mavinga in particular made some key defensive stops including potentially a game-saving tackle. Similarly, TFC goalkeeper, Quentin Westberg made a brave play and got to the ball before Araujo, who looked like he was going to score.
