The post Lorenzo Insigne-Federico Bernardeschi era began quietly for Toronto. There was no superstar exit bounce. TFC’s brief lifeline arrived on seventy minutes when Theo Corbeanu’s incoming square ball deflected off NYCFC goalkeeper Tomas Romero and spun over the line for an own goal, cutting TFC’s deficit to 2-1.

Toronto FC, in its first outing since buying out the contacts of Italian designated players Lorenzo Insigne and Federico Bernardeschi, was beaten 3-1 by New York City FC in the lone MLS game Thursday. Hannes Wolf, Mitja Ilenic and Kevin O’Toole scored for New York (9-7-4). Eight of NYCFC’s wins have come at home (8-3-0).

Insigne only played 76 times for the MLS club after a 2021 move from Napoli, while Bernadeschi joined a year later from Juventus.