Toronto FC (5W-12L-6T, 21 points) were edged 1-0 by Nashville SC (14W-5L-5T, 47 points) on Saturday night at GEODIS Park.
TFC Head Coach Robin Fraser made two changes to the starting lineup from the midweek win over San Diego FC with Raoul Petretta and Ola Brynhildsen making way for Kobe Franklin and Deandre Kerr. The Canadian forward made his first club start since March 29, 2025, where he picked up an ankle injury against Vancouver Whitecaps FC.
Nashville SC took the lead in the 28th minute when English forward Sam Surridge tapped in from close range after goalkeeper Sean Johnson parried Hany Mukhtar’s left-footed strike from distance.
TFC were forced into a first-half substitution for the second straight match, with Tyrese Spicer coming on for Kosi Thompson in the 39th minute after the Homegrown player suffered an apparent hip injury.
Two minutes later, Reds captain and shot-stopper Sean Johnson produced an incredible low save to deny MLS Golden Boot joint-leader Sam Surridge a second first-half goal.
Jonathan Osorio came off the bench to start the second half, replacing Matty Longstaff and making a club-leading 385th appearance for his hometown side, Toronto FC.
Fifteen minutes into the restart, a driving run and precise pass from Richie Laryea led to Deandre Kerr being fouled by Nashville captain Walker Zimmerman, prompting referee Sergii Boiko to instantly point to the penalty sport. However, following an in-stadium video review, Boiko overturned the decision and awarded the visitors a direct free-kick instead after determining the foul occurred outside the box.
The Boys in Gold nearly doubled their lead in the 79th minute, but Sean Johnson produced yet another crucial instinctive save to deny Hany Mukhtar in a one-on-one situation.
The Reds piled on the pressure throughout the half but ultimately could not convert their opportunities to find an equalizer, as Nashville SC held on for a 1-0 victory and all three points at GEODIS Park.
Toronto FC head south next weekend for a matchup against Charlotte FC on Saturday, July 26. Kick-off from Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina is set for 7:30 p.m. ET and will be broadcast globally on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV.
LINEUPS
NASHVILLE SC – Joe Willis; Andy Nájar, Walker Zimmerman (C), Jeisson Palacios, Daniel Lovitz; Alex Muyl, Gastón Brugman (Bryan Acosta 85’), Edvard Tagseth (Patrick Yazbek 73’); Hany Mukhtar (Matthew Corcoran 90+5’), Ahmed Qasem (Teal Bunbury 73’), Sam Surridge
Substitutes Not Used: Brian Schwake, Jack Maher, Josh Bauer, Julian Gaines, Alan Carleton
TORONTO FC – Sean Johnson (C); Kosi Thompson (Tyrese Spicer 39’), Kevin Long, Sigurd Rosted, Kobe Franklin; Richie Laryea, Alonso Coello, Theo Corbeanu, Maxime Dominguez (Derrick Etienne Jr. 72’), Matty Longstaff (Jonathan Osorio 46’); Deandre Kerr
Substitutes Not Used: Luka Gavran, Lazar Stefanović, Markus Cimermancic
MEDIA NOTES
- Sean Johnson moves into third place on Major League Soccer’s all-time list for regular season minutes played (38,046), surpassing current Seattle Sounders goalkeeper Stefan Frei (37,991).
