Toronto FC (3-0) Saint-Laurent | Victory in the Canadian Championship Quarterfinals

On May 8th, TFC would play the first leg of the Canadian Championship quarterfinals, visiting the League 1 leaders and defending champions. For The Reds, this match wouldn't be a minor encounter, as they would leave everything on the field to secure a victory in the first leg, aiming for a more relaxed second leg at BMO Field.

TFC took to the field with an ideal starting XI, featuring notable names such as Jonathan Osorio, Matther Longstaff, Luka Gavran, and Alonso Coello, key figures in the Toronto FC first team. Additionally, young players like Cassius Mailula and Deandre Kerr were given the opportunity to shine.

The match would break the deadlock in the second half, as TFC lacked the necessary precision to score in the first 45 minutes. However, the floodgates would open in the final 45 minutes of the match.

In the 50th minute, Longstaff would score the opening goal of the match with a surprising shot towards the near post of the opposing goalkeeper. The second goal for TFC came from a fabulous run by Deandre Kerr in the 59th minute, who managed to score with the help of the post.

Finally, the player of the moment for The Reds would seal the deal in the 76th minute. Federico Bernardeschi would score a stunning free-kick goal, leaving everyone in awe with his powerful strike from the right flank, securing the 3-0 final score.

With this victory, TFC emerges as the clear favorite to advance to the semifinals of the Canadian Championship. By bringing virtually all their key players to this match, John Herdman makes it clear that this competition holds significant importance, with the goal being to conquer it.

The return leg at BMO Field will take place on May 21st, and for TFC, with a 3-0 advantage, they will need to focus more on the MLS and preserve their key players, considering the tough competition in the upcoming MLS fixtures. They are just one step away from reaching the Canadian Championship semifinals.