In the first-ever ‘Toronto Derby,’ first-half goals from Jonathan Osorio and Ifunanyachi Achara helped Toronto FC past York United FC 4-0 at a rainy BMO Field Wednesday night to reach the 2021 Canadian Championship semifinals.
Playing in their first game in the competition after last year's final was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the seven-time Canadian Championship winners, Toronto FC, exerted their might over their local rivals right from the jump.
Their first real chance came in the 16th minute. After some clever build-up play from the Reds, Yeferson Soteldo slipped a ball in behind to Achara, and he squared it to Osorio, but the Canadian international's shot from point-blank range was denied by a good save from York United keeper Nathan Ingham.
Osorio wouldn’t be held off the scoresheet for much longer, however. In the 34th minute, Jacob Shaffelburg's cross had eyes for his fellow countryman, who was unmarked in the York United box, and Osorio powered a header past Ingham to make it 1-0.
Seven minutes later, Shaffelburg facilitated down the left-hand side once again, this time finding Achara streaking through the middle with a low cross. The 2020 MLS SuperDraft pick made no mistake, finishing first-time to put TFC up 2-0.
The match may have finished more lopsided if it weren't for a stellar double-save from Ingham in the 72nd minute to deny Soteldo, who could only look skyward after he thought his header – off another cross from Shaffelburg – was goal-bound.
But Soteldo got the last laugh, converting a penalty – won by 17-year-old Jahkeele Marshall-Rutty – in the 84th minute to make it 3-0, putting this fixture out of reach.
Before the final whistle, another young Canadian joined the fun. Noble Okello ran onto a Michael Bradley through ball and calmly finished with a hard shot into the bottom-right corner to make it 4-0 and cap off the scoring.
Toronto FC will face Pacific FC in the semifinal stage, setting up another Canadian Premier League test.
Goals
- 34' – TOR – Jonathan Osorio
- 41' – TOR – Ifunanyachi Achara
- 84' – TOR – Yeferson Soteldo (PK)
- 89' – TOR – Noble Okello
Three Things
- THE BIG PICTURE: This was a great measuring stick for Canadian Premier League side York United, but Jim Brennan’s squad couldn’t measure up to Toronto FC, who were desperate to make a statement after a disappointing 2021 MLS regular season campaign thus far. For Toronto, after a weekend win over Nashville SC, they have now won two games in a row for the first time this season. Javier Perez and Co. will look to keep that momentum going on Saturday in Colorado.
- MOMENT OF THE MATCH: The game's first goal involved three Canadians linking up. Richie Laryea played the ball into Jacob Shaffelburg, who crossed it into Jonathan Osorio to open the scoring. Poetry.
- MAN OF THE MATCH: Jacob Shaffelburg is making a serious case to cement his spot in Toronto FC’s starting lineup, and his two assists on Wednesday should only help his case.
Up Next
- TOR: Saturday, September 25 at Colorado Rapids | 8 pm ET (TSN 1, MLS LIVE on ESPN+) | MLS Regular Season
- PAC: End of tournament
