HARRISON, N.J. — Emil Forsberg played a pivotal role in the New York Red Bulls’ 2-1 triumph over Toronto FC at Sports Illustrated Stadium on Saturday night, showcasing his skill with a goal in each half of the match.
The first half saw the Red Bulls (2-1-2) seize a 1-0 advantage just before halftime, thanks to a penalty-kick goal by Forsberg in the 44th minute. The penalty was awarded following a foul on Raheem Edwards by Toronto defender Henry Wingo. It’s worth noting that Edwards spent three seasons with Toronto, adding an emotional layer to the encounter.
Toronto (0-4-1) leveled the score in the 70th minute when Deandre Kerr found the back of the net. This marked Kerr’s second goal this season and the 13th in his burgeoning career, spanning 79 appearances. Derrick Etienne Jr. and Lorenzo Insigne contributed with their first assists of the season, adding a touch of class to Toronto’s play. Notably, Etienne once wore the Red Bulls’ jersey for five seasons.
The Red Bulls clawed back the lead in the 76th minute, courtesy of another Forsberg goal. This was his third of the season and the 12th in his 24 career outings, highlighting his potency in front of goal. Felipe Carballo recorded his first career assist in his 13th appearance. Forsberg’s impressive performance saw him accumulate eight goal contributions in his last eight appearances.
Goalkeeper AJ Marcucci, 25, made his league debut for the Red Bulls, successfully saving one shot in the process. Carlos Coronel, the usual starting goalkeeper, is currently fulfilling international duties with Paraguay.
In the opposite goal, Sean Johnson managed to register four saves for Toronto. The Red Bulls’ victory extends their winning streak against Toronto at home to eight games, and they remain unbeaten in the past 10 home encounters. Toronto last claimed victory over the Red Bulls on the road back in 2016.
Looking ahead, Toronto is set to welcome the Vancouver Whitecaps on Saturday, while the Red Bulls will be traveling to face the New England Revolution on the same day.