Toronto FC forward Deandre Kerr, left, and Nashville SC defender Walker Zimmerman (25) chase the ball during the first half of an MLS soccer match Wednesday, May 15, 2024, in Nashville, Tenn. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-George Walker IV
For 80 minutes on Wednesday, a depleted Toronto FC held firm against Nashville SC but ultimately lost 2-0 in an MLS match, conceding two late goals from substitutes Shaq Moore and Teal Bunbury.
Assistant coach Jason deVos, standing in for the suspended John Herdman, praised his players for their effort despite the disappointing outcome. Toronto was missing Herdman and nine players—five due to suspensions following a post-game brawl with New York City FC on Saturday. This match was their seventh in 25 days.
TFC’s lineup saw six changes from their previous game, with Raoul Petretta as captain. Aime Mabika and Kosi Thompson made their first league starts of the season. The first half was uneventful, but the game opened up in the second half, with Toronto holding strong until the 81st minute.
Nashville took the lead when a long ball from Anibal Godoy led to Walker Zimmerman heading it into a crowd, and the ball deflected off Moore's leg into the net. Bunbury secured the win in the 91st minute, tapping in a cross from Tyler Boyd after Toronto was caught short on a counterattack.
Moore's goal was his first in 50 MLS appearances, and Bunbury became the fourth active player to reach 75 career regular-season goals. Toronto rookie Tyrese Spicer admitted they lost focus in the last 10 minutes.
Toronto, fourth in the Eastern Conference before the match, dropped to sixth with the loss. Nashville, coming off a 1-0 defeat at Charlotte FC, climbed to 10th place.
Herdman, goalkeeper Sean Johnson, and fullback Richie Laryea were suspended for one game each after the MLS Disciplinary Committee's initial verdict on Saturday’s incident. Other Toronto players Federico Bernardeschi and Prince Owusu, and NYCFC defender Strahinja Tanasijevic, were also suspended due to red cards from the brawl.
Toronto was further weakened by injuries to Jonathan Osorio, Jahkeele Marshall-Rutty, Shane O’Neil, and Brandon Servania. More suspensions may follow as the disciplinary committee continues its review.
Former Toronto players Jacob Shaffelburg and Daniel Lovitz were part of Nashville’s squad. Toronto's Lorenzo Insigne, returning from an eight-game injury absence, and Honduran midfielder Deybi Flores, came on in the 62nd minute.
For Tyrese Spicer, the match was a homecoming, having attended Lipscomb University in Nashville. Toronto also signed three Toronto FC 2 players on short-term agreements to bolster their numbers. Charlie Sharp, a third-round pick in the 2023 MLS SuperDraft, made his MLS debut in the 75th minute.
Toronto will host CF Montreal on Saturday.
