The curse, as coach John Herdman said, is over. And Toronto FC’s winning streak continues.
Italian star Federico Bernardeschi ended a long goalless drought with a pair of goals and added an assist on Saturday to help Toronto defeat FC Dallas 3-1 in MLS, extending TFC’s winning streak to four games in all competitions.
Bernardeschi had been sidelined in 19 games since scoring twice in a 3-2 loss to CF Montreal on August 20.
“The curse has been broken,” a smiling Herdman said after the game.
A stylish attacker who has played a variety of roles this season, Bernardeschi has been an influential figure for TFC. And the former Juventus player was a threat all night Saturday before an announced crowd of 24,257 at BMO Field.
But it seemed that goals were still eluding him.
Bernardeschi appeared to have changed that in the 39th minute when, receiving the ball from Jonathan Osorio just inside the penalty area, he turned and sent a low shot past Dutch goalkeeper Maarten Paes.
But the Italian’s celebration was short-lived as referee Pierre-Luc Lauziere, after being summoned on the pitch monitor by the video assistant referee, disallowed the goal for offside.
Bernardeschi took a second bite at the apple in first-half stoppage time when Lauziere pointed to the penalty spot after Osorio fell under a challenge from Patrickson Delgado, who appeared to have the ball.
The penalty survived video review with Bernardeschi standing next to the ball, waiting to take the penalty. Paes saved but couldn’t get to the rebound and the Italian finished.
“We chuckled,” Herdman said. “I think that curse that was on him was lifted. And it showed in the second half.”
There was no mistake with Bernardeschi’s second goal, a 52nd-minute stunner that saw the Italian cut to his left and fire into the top corner from outside the penalty area.
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 an assist from Bernardeschi and Tyrese Spicer. Longstaff’s older brother Sean scored for Newcastle United earlier that day in a 4–1 victory over Burnley in an English Premier League match.
Herdman, who grew up on the outskirts of Newcastle, is a die-hard fan. He says he and Matty Longstaff, who also played for Newcastle, often text each other when watching the English team.
Herdman said he sent Matty a text earlier that day saying, “Look, your brother scored, so I figure you’ll score tonight.” He also made sure young Longstaff received the game ball.
Sam Junqua scored a consolation goal for Dallas in the 87th minute.
The victory moved Toronto (6-4-1) up one spot to third place in the Eastern Conference. With 19 points, they are just three behind TFC’s total last season, when they finished last in the league at 4-20-10.
Dallas (2-6-2) was outshot 13-6 (6-2 in shots on goal) in its first trip to BMO Field since 2018.
The Texas team came in after a 2-0 victory over Houston that ended a seven-game winless streak that followed a 2-1 victory over San Jose in the season opener on February 24.
It marked the first meeting between the two teams since February 2022, when they tied 1-1 in Frisco, Texas. Toronto hadn’t beaten Dallas since a 1-0 decision in July 2016 at BMO Field, going 0-3-1 since against the Texans.
Herdman made two changes to his starting 11, giving newly acquired winger Derrick Etienne Jr. his first start and Spicer.
The club did not comment on reports that it had reached a mutual agreement with Canadian striker Ayo Akinola to terminate his contract. But such a move would not be a surprise given the 24-year-old has played just 82 minutes of league play this season spread 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 Toronto homegrown player, started for Dallas with former TFC defender Omar Gonzalez on the bench.
Toronto was forced to withdraw Raoul Petretta in the 16th minute after a nasty tackle by Croatia forward Peter Musa.
Both teams were missing players due to injuries.
Toronto was without Lorenzo Insigne, Richie Laryea, Jahkeele Marshall-Rutty, Shane O’Neill and Brandon Servania. The club signed TFC 2 forward Jesús Bátiz on a short-term MLS deal for the game as insurance.
Dallas was missing Geovane Jesus, Amet Korca, Sebastian Lletget, Paxton Pomykal and Argentine designated player Alan Velasco.
Toronto plays CS Saint-Laurent on Wednesday in the Canadian Championship quarterfinals before hosting New York City FC on Saturday. Dallas hosts Memphis 901 FC of the USL Championship in the Round of 32 of the US Open Cup on Tuesday.
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This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 4, 2024.