Achi news desk-
The curse, as coach John Hardman put it, is over. And Toronto’s winning streak continues.
Italian star Federico Bernardeschi ended an extended scoreless streak with a pair of goals and added an assist on Saturday to help Toronto defeat FC Dallas 3-1 in MLS play, extending TFC’s winning streak to four games in all competitions.
Bernardeschi had a 19-game shutout since scoring twice in a 3-2 loss to CF Montreal on Aug. 20.
“The curse is broken,” said a smiling Hardman after the game.
Bernardeschi, a stylish attacker who has played a variety of roles this season, has been an influential figure for TFC. And the former Juventus man was a menace all night on Saturday in front of an announced crowd of 24,257 at BMO Field.
But the goals still seemed to elude him.
Bernardeschi appeared to change that in the 39th minute when he received the ball from Jonathan Osorio just inside the penalty area, turned and fired a low shot past Dutch-born goalkeeper Maarten Paas.
But the Italian’s celebration was short-lived when referee Pierre-Luc Lozier, after being summoned to the pitch-side monitor by the video assistant referee, waved the goal offside.
Bernardeschi got a second bite at the apple in first-half stoppage time when Lauzier pointed to the penalty spot after Osorio went down in a challenge from Patrickson Delgado, who appeared to receive the ball.
The penalty call survived video review with Bernardeschi standing over the ball, waiting for a spot kick. Paz saved but couldn’t get to the rebound and the Italian headed it home.
“We had a giggle at halftime,” Hardman said. “I think the curse that was on him has been lifted. And that was reflected in the second half.”
There was no mistake with Bernardeschi’s second goal, a record ball in the 52nd minute, which saw the Italian cut to his left and hit a ball into the top corner outside the box.
Bernardeschi did not speak to the media after the game.
Substitute Matty Longstaff added an insurance goal in the 83rd minute, his first in MLS, with assists from Bernardeschi and Tyrese Spicer. Longstaff’s older brother Sean scored for Newcastle United earlier in the day in a 4-1 win over Burnley in the English Premier League.
Hardman, who grew up outside Newcastle, is a die-hard fan. He says he and Matty Longstaff, who also played for Newcastle, often text each other when they are watching the England team.
Hardman said he sent Matty a text earlier in the day saying: “Look your brother scored, so I’d love for you to score tonight.” He also made sure young Longstaff got the match ball.
Sam Jonkwa scored a consolation goal for Dallas in the 87th minute.
The win moved Toronto (6-4-1) up one spot to third in the Eastern Conference. With 19 points, that’s just three off TFC last season, when they finished last in the league at 4-20-10.
Dallas (2-6-2) was outscored 13-6 (6-2 in shots on goal) in its first trip to BMO Field since 2018.
The Texas team was coming off a 2-0 win over Houston that ended a seven-game winless streak following a 2-1 victory over San Jose in the Feb. 24 season opener.
It marked the first meeting between the two teams since February 2022, when they drew 1-1 in Frisco, Texas. Toronto hasn’t beaten Dallas since a 1-0 decision in July 2016 at BMO Field, and has gone 0-3-1 since then against the Texans.
Hardman made two changes to his starting XI, giving new winger Derrick Etienne Jr. his first start and Spicer.
The club had no comment on the report that it had reached a mutual agreement with Canadian forward Ayo Akinola to terminate his contract. But such a move would come as no surprise considering the 24-year-old has only seen 82 minutes of action in the league this season across five appearances.
Akinola, whose contract runs through 2023 with an option for 2025, earned $771,875 last season.
Canadian international midfielder Liam Fraser, a former player from Toronto, started in Dallas with former TFC defender Omar Gonzalez on the bench.
Toronto had to send off Raul Patreta in the 16th minute after a nasty tackle by Croatian forward Peter Musa.
Both teams were missing players due to injuries.
Toronto was without Lorenzo Insigne, Richie Laria, Jahkily Marshall-Ratty, Shane O’Neal and Brandon Cervania. The club signed TFC 2 forward Jesus Batiz to a short-term MLS deal to play for some insurance.
Dallas is missing Jovan Jesus, Emmett Corca, Sebastian Lattag, Paxton Fomical and designated player from Argentina Alan Velasco.
Toronto plays CS Saint-Laurent on Wednesday in a Canadian Championship quarterfinal game before hosting New York City FC on Saturday. Dallas entertains Memphis 901 FC of the USL Championship in the round of 16 of the US Open Cup on Tuesday.
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This report by The Canadian Press was first published on May 4, 2024
