Insigne, Bernardeschi debut as Toronto FC clobbers Charlotte FC

Serie A players might be good in MLS

Toronto FC asked themselves a crazy question: is it good for an MLS team if they sign two in-their-prime attackers who had plenty of success at top Serie A clubs?

It appears the answer to this difficult question may be yes. Giving Lorenzo Insigne and Federico Bernardeschi their debuts against Charlotte FC, TFC went up 2-0 by the 10th minute, and strolled to a 4-0 victory.

Bernardeschi marked his debut with a goal and an assist, while Insigne set Michael Bradley up for what turned out to be the USMNT captain’s second of the night.

Bernardeschi’s assist came as he fizzed a corner kick to the near post, where Bradley glanced a header past Kristijan Kahlina in the 10th minute.

Bernardeschi then got his debut goal in the 31st minute, firing a pinpoint 24-yard shot past Kahlina after Charlotte stood off of him. Which, again, he’s an experienced Serie A attacking player with 39 caps for Italy. Probably not good to stand off him.

Perhaps feeling left out, Insigne decided to produce not just an assist, but something for the highlight reel. TFC ripped through Charlotte with a one-touch passing sequence, with Insigne sending Bradley in behind with an audacious backheel.

Bob Bradley showed some mercy on Charlotte, removing Insigne and Bernardeschi at halftime. That’s bad news for the Vancouver Whitecaps, who face TFC Tuesday, July 26 in the Voyageurs Cup final.

While Toronto’s season up until now has been largely a mess, the win means they’re just six points out of the playoff places, because you’re never really out of it in MLS.

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