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Jonathan Osorio scores two goals as TFC earns first MLS road win

Toronto FC midfielder, Jonathan Osorio, attempts a shot on goal on August 6, 2022

NASHVILLE, TN – Jonathan Osorio really played well as he scored two goals for the team. It was the first time he had that many goals in MLS since 2018. It was a team effort though as Richie Laryea came up big and the Italians, Lorenzo Insigne and Federico Bernardeschi stepped up.

Jonathan Osorio continues to step up for Toronto FC

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Three keys to the game

First half

McCarthy had a golden opportunity to score in the fifth minute as Hany Mukhtar delivered a terrific cross from a set-piece situation. However, he was unable to hit the target. Richie Laryea was fouled inside the box in the eighth minute, which should have been called a foul. Lorenzo Insigne made a great pass to Jayden Nelson, who could not get to the ball. Teal Bunbury’s shot was stopped by Alex Bono.

Rodney almost scored in the 15-minute. Jayden Nelson had a terrific run into Nashville’s half. Romney made a good defensive play in the 16-minute. Insigne’s shot went straight to the Nashville goalkeeper in the 17-minute.

Dave Romney got a header off in the 19-minute but was off-target from a set-piece. Then almost immediately afterwards, Jonathan Osorio got the ball and shot with his left foot past the goalkeeper, Jay Willis. C.J. Sapong tried to tie the game in the 21-minute but was unable to hit the target. Chris Mavinga did enough to make sure Sapong’s header was not on target in the 37-minute.

Sapong though was able to draw a penalty for Nashville as this allowed Hany Mukhtar the chance to tie the game, which he did with a terrifically taken penalty.

Jonathan Osorio scored in the 44-minute, almost immediately to take the lead thanks to a great pass from Richie Laryea. However, a controversial goal was scored by Teal Bunbury, who looked offside as he received a cross from Dave Romney following a corner.

Second half

Laryea drew the foul as he was fouled inside the box by former TFC player, Daniel Lovitz. As a result, Federico Bernardesci took the penalty and converted it to reclaim the one-goal lead. Nashville then had a fantastic counterattack in the 67-minute. Federico Bernadeschi could not get to Lorenzo Insigne’s pass in the 70-minute. Great defensive play from Lukas MacNaughton to make the interception. MacNaughton won possession back for his team in the 74-minute. Randall Leal’s strike just missed the net in the 82-minute.

Things got a little tense late in the game. The reason for that was Nashville SC’s Hany Mukhtar, their player of the game, delivered a terrific cross, which met the head of Walker Zimmerman and went into the back of the net. Jahkeele-Marshall Rutty then made a key defensive play in the 90+2-minute of play to prevent a possible scoring chance. MacNaughton headed the ball away in the 93-minute.

Game Summary

The Italians stepped up with a critical win for TFC as they have seven points in their last three games. This includes a win at home against Charlotte FC and also a draw on the road against the New England Revolution. The game was also TFC’s first MLS road win this year. The only road game they won before this was a 2-1 victory over the HFX Wanderers FC in the Canadian Championship. They also extend their unbeaten run to three games while Nashville SC’s winless streak extends to five games.

TFC is also only four points behind the final MLS Cup Playoffs spot. This is what Osorio said about that according to Toronto FC:

“It’s huge,” he repeated. “The fact that it’s an away win as well gives the group a lot of confidence. A big three points. A couple of things to clean up, but we’ll clean those up and we’re going to use this game to build off of.”

Toronto FC will next face the Portland Timbers at BMO Field. That game between both teams trying to earn an MLS Cup Playoffs spot will take place next Saturday at 7:30 p.m. ET. That game will be televised live in Canada on TSN while it will be shown live on FOX 12 PLUS.

This is while Nashville SC continues their homestand next Sunday at 9:00 p.m. ET against FC Dallas at GEODIS Park. This will be a big game as Dallas is one point ahead, but also have a game in hand with Nashville in the MLS Western Conference.

Three Takeaways:

Richie Laryea’s return game was terrific. Richie Laryea returned to Toronto FC as he was loaned by Nottingham Forest FC. He played very well as he assisted in Osorio’s second goal and also drew the penalty that was converted by Federico Bernardeschi.

Toronto FC did just enough defensively. Chris Mavinga made some great defensive plays throughout the game to cause some of those Nashville SC shots to be off-target. Also, Jahkeele-Marshall Rutty and Lukas MacNaughton stepped up as they made critical defensive plays near the end of the game.

Hany Muhktar stepped up for Nashville SC. Mukhtar was involved in all of Nashville’s goals. His first goal via a penalty was converted perfectly. It went to a spot of the net that TFC goalkeeper, Alex Bono, had no chance of saving even though he dove the right way. He also had the chance to tie the game late in the game, but his header from the centre of the box narrowly missed the net.

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