Bernardeschi scores twice, Toronto FC routs CF Montreal 6-1 in rivalry matchup

By Canadian Press on May 17, 2025.

MONTREAL —
Federico Bernardeschi scored twice as Toronto FC took advantage of a 20th-minute red card to Joel Waterman and throttled rival CF Montreal 6-1 in MLS action on Saturday.

Theo Corbeanu also scored twice while Tyrese Spicer and Ola Brynhildsen provided the other goals for Toronto (3-7-4) at Stade Saputo.

Giacomo Vrioni scored a consolation goal in the 64th minute for Montreal (1-9-4).

TFC is now unbeaten against its rival in the last four Canadian Classiques between the two clubs, although Montreal edged Toronto on penalty kicks in Canadian championship play on April 30.

Montreal started the game on the front foot, exploiting space behind the opposing back line on a number of occasions.

Seven minutes in, Vrioni thought he had opened the scoring, but the play was called back for offside.

Toronto opened the scoring against the run of play in the 15th minute. Spicer took off on a solo run down the left side and capped off the individual counterattack with a composed finish past Sebastian Breza.

Things went from bad to worse for Montreal five minutes later when Waterman was sent off for bringing down Brynhildsen as the last man back.

Toronto quickly took advantage, scoring twice just three minutes apart to take a 3-0 lead at the 33rd minute and force Montreal into two defensive substitutions to stop the bleeding.

Montreal spent the rest of the first half trying to claw back into the contest but hit two posts in a frustrating end to the opening 45 minutes.

Toronto kept its foot on the gas in the second half.

Bernardeschi, who also had an assist, tallied his second goal with a beautiful curling effort in the 55th.

Vrioni finally gave the home crowd something to briefly cheer about when he broke Toronto’s clean sheet, but Corbeanu promptly responded to make it 5-1.

Corbeanu made it a brace in the 90th minute to seal Toronto’s dominant display.

UP NEXT

Montreal: Heads to Hamilton for the first leg of the Canadian Championship quarterfinal against Forge FC on Tuesday.

Toronto: Hosts Nashville SC next Saturday.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 17, 2025.

Elias Grigoriadis, The Canadian Press