Federico Bernardeschi recorded a hat trick and Toronto FC served up a 5-1 victory over CF Montreal on Saturday night at BMO Field in Toronto.
The Bleu-blanc-noir had not lost in MLS against its Canadian rival in their last seven duels (6-0-1), since September 9, 2020, but obviously, the Torontonians had a lot on their hearts.
They scored three goals in the first 19 minutes of the match, which was a first in team history, and ended a two-game losing streak.
Matty Longstaff and Prince Owusu also moved the ropes for Toronto FC (7-6-1), who have already amassed the same number of points this season as during the entirety of 2023 (22).
Sunusi Ibrahim threaded the needle for CF Montreal (3-7-3), which suffered a fourth defeat in a row and has not won in its last six outings. Laurent Courtois’ men have the worst defense in the Eastern Association, with 31 goals allowed.
Absent from the clash against the Columbus Crew on Wednesday evening, Jules-Anthony Vilsaint was back in the lineup.
Montreal will return to action in the Canadian Championship on Wednesday evening, when Forge FC will visit Saputo Stadium.
Not in the loop
Quebecer Samuel Piette spoke of a lack of commitment against the Columbus Crew on Wednesday evening. Things didn’t improve in the first few minutes on Saturday.
From the sixth minute, Lorenzo Insigne launched Tyrese Spicer on the run on the left flank and his pass found the foot of Longstaff, who had distanced himself from Fernando Alvarez.
The Toronto fans had barely returned to their seats when they were able to celebrate again, at the 10e minute. Alone on the right side, Bernardeschi returned to his left foot and fired a ball into the top corner that Jonathan Sirois was unable to stop.
The sky fell on CF Montreal’s head less than 10 minutes later. A costly turnover by Joel Waterman and Mathieu Choinière in the penalty area allowed Owusu to give Toronto FC a 3-0 lead.
The Bleu-blanc-noir had its chances to score in the first half, but it seriously lacked finishing. It also continued at the start of the second half, when Vilsaint and Ibrahim lacked communication in front of an open net, following a cross from Ariel Lassiter.
It didn’t take much for the local team to wake up and open the machine again.
After accepting a pass from Alonso Coello, Bernardeschi attempted a cross into the area towards Owusu. George Campbell lightly pushed the Toronto FC player and the ball missed the recipient, surprising Sirois to his right.
Less than two minutes later, at the 60econfusion in the penalty area allowed Bernardeschi to find himself alone in front of Sirois, whom he easily thwarted.
The visitors avoided the indignity of being shut out when Campbell used his body to intercept a pass from Raoul Petretta and laid the ball off to Ibrahim, who beat Sean Johnson.