Lorenzo Insigne plays hero again as Toronto FC top Charlotte FC

Lorenzo Insigne played hero for Toronto FC for the second match in a row, scoring on a curling shot from long range in the 80th minute to secure a 1-0 win over Charlotte FC on Saturday in Toronto's home opener.

After scoring a deft chip in Toronto's (2-0-1, 7 points) previous match against the New England Revolution, the Italian designated player channeled magic on his right foot again, striking from nearly 35 yards and looping a shot past goalkeeper Kristijan Kahlina of Charlotte (1-1-1, 4 points) to break the stalemate.

Having dealt with injury over his first two seasons with Toronto, Insigne has played parts of each game in 2024, scoring Toronto's only two goals and looking rejuvenated under new head coach and former Canadian men's national team manager John Herdman.

For the hosts, it marked a third straight clean sheet, the first time in club history the team has started a season without conceding a goal in their first three matches. However, this shutout went to backup goalkeeper Luka Gavran, who made three stops as a late injury replacement for starting goalkeeper Sean Johnson.

Insigne, who had been yellow-carded in the first half, left the match as a substitute soon after the goal in the 87th minute, as has become routine for Herdman's TFC.

Charlotte had chances throughout the match. The club's appeal for a penalty kick in the 26th minute after Gavran appeared to have clipped forward Enzo Copetti on a breakaway went unawarded after a VAR check.

Moments later, the visitors nearly broke through from Copetti a second time, as the Argentine, 28, collected a through ball before striking his shot into Gavran's palms in the 39th minute.

Former Newcastle United midfielder and new Toronto signing Matty Longstaff also made his club debut in midfield as a 62nd-minute substitute. On his first competitive touch for his new club, he sent a shot just above the crossbar and ended his afternoon, having completed 67 percent of his passes.

Kahlina made two saves between the sticks for Charlotte, managing the downpour on the shores of Lake Ontario. His side failed to score on 10 shots against Toronto, three on target.