Insigne's long-range rocket lifts Toronto FC past Charlotte FC in home opener

Nathan Byrne Lorenzo Insigne - The Canadian PressTORONTO — Lorenzo Insigne's spectacular long-range strike in the 80th minute gave Toronto FC a 1-0 win over Charlotte FC in its home opener Saturday.

Toronto, which finished last in the league last season at 4-20-10 while giving up a whopping 59 goals, has been rock-solid in its defence so far this year under coach John Herdman. Toronto has yet to concede a goal three games into the MLS season.Gavran made his fifth career start after starter Sean Johnson, who was coming off back-to-back shutouts, was an unexpected absentee. A club spokesman said Johnson had felt something after training that needed to be assessed.

The game came 11 years to the day that a 20-year-old Osorio made his MLS debut for Toronto. Osorio led his hometown club out Saturday, marking a club-record game No. 300 in MLS regular-season and playoff action. Apart from Johnson, the only other Toronto change saw defender Nicksoen Gomis return to the lineup at the expense of forward Prince Owusu.Charlotte coach Dean Smith, formerly of Leicester City and Aston Villa among other English clubs, went with the same lineup for the third game in a row. Former Canada captain Scott Arfield came off the Charlotte bench in the 71st minute.The visitors came close in the sixth minute but Junior Urso's header off a corner flashed just wide.

Coming into play Saturday, Charlotte's record since entering the league in 2022 was 24-29-17. Toronto was 14-38-18 over the same period.

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