Ottawa Fury FC 0, Toronto FC 1 | 2018 Canadian Championship Match Recap

Toronto FC started their defense of their Canadian Championship title on the right foot on Wednesday, traveling to the nation’s capital to defeat USL side Ottawa Fury FC 1-0 at TD Place Stadium in the first leg of their CanChamp semifinal series.

Jonathan Osorio scored the winner in the game’s opening stages, taking a pass from Ryan Telfer inside the Fury penalty box and cleverly beating goalkeeper Maxime Crepeau to the near post with a swivel of the hips after setting himself to shoot towards the far stick. Despite some heavy late pressure from the Fury, it would prove to be enough down the stretch.

The win, and the away goal, put TFC firmly in the driver’s seat heading into next week’s second leg at BMO Field, while coach Greg Vanney also used this occasion to provide meaningful match minutes to younger and fringe players, including six Canadians in his starting 11.

Toronto were cheered on by a proud contingent of traveling fans, though it appeared they set off a flare that eventually made its way onto the pitch, prompting referee Silviu Petrescu to briefly stop play in the second half.

Goals

• 5' — TOR — Jonathan Osorio | WATCH

Three Things

THE BIG PICTURE: It’s been a season of struggle for TFC in league play, but this tournament provides a welcome opportunity for success and even with many reserves on the pitch, Wednesday offered glimpses of the imperious Reds of 2017.

MOMENT OF THE MATCH
: Ottawa kept
Clint Irwin
busy in the Toronto goal, and his 85th-minute save on Steevan Dos Santos’ header was a critical moment in preserving the clean sheet.

MAN OF THE MATCH: This honor goes to Jonathan Osorio, who scored the winner as he captained this young TFC side to a useful victory on unfamiliar turf.

Next Up

• TOR: Saturday, July 21 at Chicago Fire (7 pm ET | TSN – Full TV & Streaming Info)