Toronto FC's Federico Bernardeschi continues to amaze in Major League Soccer.
In Saturday's 2-2 home draw with Charlotte FC, the Italian national team winger took full advantage of a windy evening at BMO Field by scoring directly from a corner kick in the 6th minute to give the hosts an early 1-0 lead.
“We tried in training because we changed a little bit the situation on corners, and I tried to shoot in the goal and I’m a little bit [of a] lucky man. It’s a good shot. I’m happy about that," said Bernardeschi afterward.
His manager certainly didn't think that it was all luck.
“It’s his ability to strike a ball and on a night like tonight where we know the wind’s blowing so hard, if you put a ball out there, it’s going to be a real threat going in towards the goal. It’s a combination, but obviously, he’s got a special way to hit balls," said Bob Bradley.
It’s the first time in Toronto FC’s 633-game history that a Red has scored an "Olimpico."
Bernardeschi, 29, joined Toronto as a free agent last summer, leaving Juventus FC after five seasons with the Serie A giants. In 19 MLS games (all starts), he has scored 11 times and added five assists.
Saturday’s goal is another spectacular moment in Bernardeschi’s young MLS career.