Toronto FC forward Prince Owusu, right, challenges FC Dallas goalkeeper Maarten Paes during MLS action in Toronto, on May 4.Chris Katsarov/The Canadian Press
Toronto FC kept the good times rolling on Saturday night, defeating FC Dallas 3-1 on their home pitch to extend their win streak to three straight games in MLS with a fourth in the Canadian Championship.
Italian designated player midfielder Federico Bernardsechi scored twice for the Reds (6-4-1, 19 points), finding his first goals since August 20, 2023 and marking a return to form, having taken on additional responsibilities with the injury-plagued Lorenzo Insigne remaining on the sidelines.
English midfielder Matty Longstaff added a late insurance goal for Toronto in the 82nd minute before Sam Junqa scored for Dallas (2-6-2, 8 points) with an 87th-minute strike to cancel out Sean Johnson’s bid at the clean sheet on home turf.
Bernardeschi opened the scoring in the third minute of first-half stoppage time, finishing a rebound from a penalty kick after Dallas goalkeeper Martin Paes stopped the initial attempt. Toronto captain and Canadian international Jonathan Osorio drew the penalty, offering Bernardeschi the spot kick after VAR pulled a goal back earlier in the match.
It didn’t take long into the second half for Bernardeschi to grab his second goal of the game, as the Toronto winger burst down the right wing, beat two defenders to create space, and unleashed a curling strike from the top of the box to beat Paes diving to his left.
Longstaff’s goal came late in the proceedings, with the 2024 signing scoring his first for the club, getting on the end of a cross from rookie Tyrese Spicer before slotting the ball towards the near post and past the Dallas goalkeeper.
While head coach John Herdman and TFC have experienced spells of form this season, the three straight wins in MLS mark their longest win streak, building on previous victories against the New England Revolution and Orlando City SC.
Sean Johnson ended his night with a single save in the win, while Paes stopped three Toronto shots despite conceding three times. Toronto also held the lead in shots, 13-7, over their Texan visitors.