Essential Insights Before Matchday 38: Key Info for Reds Fans
On Monday, Sean Johnson, the goalkeeper for Toronto FC, received an honor by being named to the MLS Team of the Matchday for Matchday 38. This recognition follows his impressive performance during the club’s recent match, which ended in a 1-1 draw against Inter Miami CF at BMO Field.
Match Highlights and Performance
Johnson’s return to the lineup coincided with a challenging encounter against the reigning Supporters’ Shield winners. In front of a capacity crowd of 28,855, he demonstrated exceptional skill, making five crucial saves.
- Johnson’s early intervention included a diving save against Baltasar Rodríguez’s shot in the 12th minute.
- He notably denied four attempts from Lionel Messi, the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner.
- In the closing moments, he successfully parried a free-kick taken by Messi to secure a valuable point.
Impact on Team Performance
With this match, Toronto FC extended their unbeaten streak to seven matches. Johnson’s performance was highlighted by his selection as Man of the Match, marking his fourth Team of the Matchday recognition for the 2025 season. Since joining Toronto FC in January 2023, this brings his total selections to eight.
During the 2025 MLS regular season, the team has achieved a total of 14 Team of the Matchday selections, showcasing the talents of various players:
- Sean Johnson: 4 selections
- Federico Bernardeschi: 2 selections
- Theo Corbeanu: 2 selections
- Ola Brynhildsen: 1 selection
- Alonso Coello: 1 selection
- Lorenzo Insigne: 1 selection
- Deandre Kerr: 1 selection
- Richie Laryea: 1 selection
- Jonathan Osorio: 1 selection
International Duties Ahead
As the October FIFA Window approaches, three Toronto FC players have been called up for international duty. Club captain Jonathan Osorio and defender Richie Laryea will represent Canada in a pair of friendlies against high-ranking FIFA opponents. Canada, currently ranked No. 26, will first face Australia (ranked No. 25) at Stade Saputo in Montreal on October 10 at 7:30 p.m. ET.
Following that match, Canada will play against Colombia (ranked No. 14) at Sports Illustrated Stadium in New Jersey on October 14 at 8:00 p.m. ET. Additionally, forward Derrick Etienne Jr. will join Haiti for the final round of the Concacaf World Cup Qualifiers, with matches against Nicaragua on October 9 at 8:00 p.m. ET and Honduras on October 13 at 8:00 p.m. ET.
With the end of the season on the horizon, Toronto FC fans are looking forward to the upcoming matches and continuing support for their players on the international stage.
