John Herdman's Statements After Toronto FC's Great Victory on Penalties

In an agonizing match during the League's Cup debut for Toronto FC, they managed to secure the victory via penalty shootout, with Sean Johnson being the standout player. TFC earned their first 2 points in the group shared with New York RB and Pachuca.

The match ended in a closely contested 0-0 draw, with both teams creating plenty of scoring opportunities but failing to find the net. This led to penalty kicks, where TFC emerged victorious.

Sean Johnson Recognized by John Herdman

"Sean was excellent tonight. He wasn't overly busy, but he came up big. That's a testament to a top goalkeeper. When you're not too busy but remain focused and can do what he's done for us throughout the season."
John Herdman

Herdman was full of praise for the American goalkeeper, who made two crucial saves in the penalty shootout to secure the 2 points in the League's Cup. He highlighted that the goalkeeper always steps up when needed, especially in the most challenging moments, and Johnson's contributions are invaluable to the team.

"It’s really important to have leadership to guide the team through tough periods or shift the momentum with their quality. Having Osorio back on the field, Richie Laryea's defensive quality, and, of course, Sean Johnson – these players are key to our team."
John Herdman

Herdman also emphasized the contributions of players who reintegrated into the team after the Copa America, highlighting the leadership of Osorio, the solid defense of Laryea, and the reliability of Sean Johnson, all of whom help make Toronto FC a better club.

"This is a really tough place to come. You know, the Red Bulls are one of the most aggressive teams in MLS, and you really have to put in the effort to get something out of a game here. They are relentless. So tonight, I was proud of the guys. We had some good moments, especially in the first half and obviously at the end. I also felt they had some good moments to win the game."
John Herdman

Proud of the match, the competitiveness, and the focus shown by Toronto FC during their visit to face New York Red Bulls, Herdman acknowledged the difficulty of the venue and commended his team for their strong defensive performance to secure a positive result in one of the toughest stadiums in MLS.

Toronto FC's next match is on August 4, where they will face Pachuca in the second matchday of the League's Cup, aiming to secure a spot in the Round of 16 of the tournament.