Lorenzo Insigne scores screamer MLS debut goal for Toronto in dramatic 4-3 win vs. Nashville
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Lorenzo Insigne scores screamer debut goal for Toronto in dramatic 4-3 win vs. Nashville to give the Reds hope of going from SECOND-LAST to an unlikely playoff spot
- The Italian international scored sensationally as Toronto won away in Nashville
- Toronto snapped a 19-game road losing streak & sit 4pts outside the playoffs
- Insigne has scored and assisted during his three appearances for the Canadians
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With Toronto needing a moment of magic, there was only one man for the occasion.
The Reds’ Italian maestro had eight outfielders and the keeper between himself and the goal, but that proved no problem.
With 76 minutes on the scoreboard, Toronto needed a steadier after recapturing the lead through Federico Bernardeschi. Who better than Insigne to stand up for his first MLS goal?
An adroit turn, a darting run toward the box and a drop of the shoulder to open the angle led Insigne to unleash a right-footed rocket from outside the box.
Insigne beat two defenders and escaped the press of a third before firing into the Nashville net
While one might think Insigne was shaping to bend one inside the far post, the marquee man whipped the ball across his body to smash it beyond the napping Joe Willis.
While Insigne’s goal seemed like it would set Toronto on its way, it was just as well they had a two-goal buffer.
Nashville’s Walker Zimmerman powerfully headed past Toronto goalkeeper Alex Bono to give the home team a chance of snatching a point, but ultimately it was a fruitless pursuit.
While Insigne’s postage stamp strike secured three points, it also, significantly, snapped Toronto’s 19-game road winless streak.
The Reds could make a late playoff push despite currently sitting second-last in the Eastern Conference standings.
Insigne scored 96 times during a 12-year period with his hometown Serie A side, Napoli
Toronto trail the Chicago Fire by four points with 10 games left in the MLS season.
Insigne and his teammates will have an opportunity to continue their recent unbeaten streak when they host Portland at BMO Field next Saturday night.
Despite their usually patchy form, Toronto have scored four goals in two of their last three MLS games and remain undefeated over that period.
Insigne has played three times since making the move from Napoli, to the Canadian club. The 5-foot-4 winger made 337 appearances for the Serie A side, scoring 96 goals.
The 31-year-old signed a pre-contract agreement with Toronto on January 8, 2022. The deal included a four-year contract which began on July 1.
Despite an inconsistent season, Toronto still have a realistic chance of making the playoffs