Lorenzo Insigne propels Toronto FC to rare road win at New England

Lorenzo Insigne scored the lone goal to lift visiting Toronto FC to a 1-0 win against the New England Revolution on Sunday.

The victory was Toronto's first on an opponent's pitch since a 2-0 triumph against Charlotte FC on August 27, 2022.

The Revolution controlled the play and took advantage of early giveaways by Toronto to spend time in the attacking third but couldn't get one by goalkeeper Sean Johnson.

In the sixth minute, Johnson snared an attempt by forward Esmir Bajraktarevic and a few minutes later denied Tomas Chancalay.

But the visitors started to find their game as the half progressed.

In the 10th minute, a giveaway by New England defender DeJuan Jones nearly led to an opportunity for Toronto when Insigne eyed the top corner from just above the 18-yard box, but his shot sailed over the net. Four minutes later, Prince Owusu was at the top of the goal area for a header off a feed from Shane O'Neill, but his attempt also went high.

Toronto finally connected in the 27th minute, courtesy of Insigne. Federico Bernadeschi's pass from the top of the 18 hit the back of New England defender Dave Romney and deflected to the left side, where Insigne had time and space to settle the ball before chipping it over goalkeeper Henrich Ravas inside the far post.

It was Toronto's first road goal since Deandre Kerr scored in the 11th minute of a 2-1 loss to the Revolution on June 24, 2023, a span of ten scoreless games.

New England tried to create in the second half, but Toronto stayed tight defensively, blocking shots and redirecting the ball out of harm's way.

Carles Gil had one of the Revolution's best chances of the second half in the 72nd minute when he curled a shot from above the 18 that was denied by Johnson, who got his hand up to deflect it over the net.

Toronto spent very little time in the attacking third in the second half but nearly doubled its lead in the 75th minute on Jonathan Osorio's attempt from the top the box that hit the crossbar.

Johnson was at it again in the third minute of stoppage time with a diving stop on Matt Polster's attempt from outside the box.