After a first half that saw Toronto FC on the front foot, it took Columbus Crew star Cucho Hernandez just six minutes to spoil the show for the locals.
Toronto FC forward Lorenzo Insigne is defended by Columbus Crew defender Andres Herrera, during first half MLS soccer action, in Toronto on Wednesday, September 18, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chris Katsarov
Herrera, on loan from Argentina's River Plate, padded the lead in the 70th minute, winning a battle with Raoul Petretta in the Toronto penalty box before slotting in a low shot for his first MLS goal. Toronto argued that the Argentine wingback had fouled Petretta in getting the ball but referee Guido Gonzales Jr. was unmoved.
Wilfried Nancy becomes just the fifth MLS coach in the post-shootout era to win at least 15 games in three straight seasons . Toronto remains two points below seventh-place Charlotte, which lost 2-0 at Orlando on Wednesday but still has a game in hand over TFC. Philadelphia thumped New York City FC 5-1 to leapfrog D.C. United into ninth place, three points behind TFC with a game in hand.
Adding to that logjam is a growing injury concern, with both captain Jonathan Osorio and Italian star Lorenzo Insigne exiting early on the night. Federico Bernardeschi came close to putting Toronto ahead in the seventh minute, taking a fine pass from Alonso Coello and cutting into the penalty box only to see his powerful left-footed shot hit the crossbar with goalkeeper Patrick Schulte beaten.
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