Latest news with #LorenzoInsigne
Yahoo
11-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Insigne reveals 2026 World Cup goal after disastrous Toronto spell
Lorenzo Insigne does not see his disastrous spell with Toronto FC as the end of the road for his playing career. The Italian believes there is more yet to accomplish, and is even aiming to play a role in helping his country qualify for the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Advertisement Insigne scored just 15 goals in 66 MLS matches for Toronto, despite being one of the highest paid players in league history. The former Napoli star was brought in along with compatriot Federico Bernardeschi to help catapult Toronto back into the upper echelon of MLS but the Canadian club failed to qualify for the playoffs in all three seasons the duo donned the red shirt together. Toronto terminated the contracts of the two attackers earlier this month. Yet Insigne says he still hopes to play a role in helping Italy qualify for the World Cup in 2026. "I hope to return to play as soon as possible," Insigne said this week. "The goal is the 2026 World Cup.' Advertisement Insigne last featured for Italy in 2022, and it is unclear what his next move is following his TFC exit. 📸 Tim Nwachukwu - 2023 Getty Images
Yahoo
10-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Exclusive: Former Maurizio Sarri Pupil Gives His Priority to Lazio
Despite the gloomy mood at the club, Lorenzo Insigne has given his preference to Lazio, as he remains very much interested in a reunion with Maurizio Sarri. The 34-year-old is now a free agent after terminating his contract with Toronto FC. After three underwhelming seasons in Major League Soccer, the winger has expressed his desire to play in Serie A once again. He had only represented his hometown club of Napoli during his time in the Italian top flight. Advertisement Why Lorenzo Insigne Wants Maurizio Sarri Reunion Insigne played for the Partenopei's first team for 10 years, but many believe his best performances occurred under Sarri's guidance. The two men still share a strong bond, and as we told you before, the manager called his former pupil to enquire about his availability. (Photo by) Even though Lazio cannot sign any new players this summer due to a transfer ban, we can confirm that the Euro 2024 winner still considers the Italian capital side his preferred destination. Hence, he has decided to cast aside all other proposals for now, including one from Udinese. Advertisement Lazio Hoping to Lift the Ban in September & Sign Insigne on Free Transfer Insigne is thus willing to wait for the Biancocelesti, at least if they manage to unblock their market operations after the end of the summer transfer window. The hierarchy will know more about this next week, and their ability to sign the former Napoli captain could hinge on the outcome.
National Post
04-07-2025
- Sport
- National Post
New-look Toronto FC beaten 3-1 by New York City FC
NEW YORK — 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. Article content 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). Article content Article content The win moved NYCFC up three places to sixth spot in the Eastern Conference, seven places and 14 points above Toronto. Article content While Toronto (4-11-5) was competitive at Yankee Stadium, its offence was stagnant in the first half. There wasn't much offence until Ola Brynhildsen and Theo Corbeanu both tested New York 'keeper Tomas Romero around the hour mark. Article content At the other end it too often allowed NYCFC attackers too clear a path to TFC's goal. Article content '(It's) disappointing because I thought we more than started well,' said Toronto coach Robin Fraser. 'I thought for a lot of the game we were really good. And really solid. Article content 'Mistakes. Mistakes did us in. We're disappointed in the result, partially because we know how badly we need results. But really I'm proud of the effort. The effort was great. There were a couple of mental lapses that ended up costing us too much. But so many guys played so well and put in a real honest shift. It's just disappointing when you do so many things well and you still come out on this side of it.' Article content New York outshot Toronto 10-8 (5-2 in shots on target). Article content Toronto started brightly but found itself trailing 1-0 in the 20th minute when, after a NYCFC free kick, a cross found Wolf and the Austrian midfielder's stylish left-footed volley went in after beating Sean Johnson and hitting both goalposts. Article content It was the ninth goal of the season for Wolf and his sixth in his last six games. Article content Ilenic doubled the lead in the 49th minute, sticking out a leg to deflect in Agustin Ojeda's cross after the Argentine winger had been allowed to race towards the Toronto goal without challenge. Ilenic, a 20-year-old Slovenian international fullback, marked his second goal of the season with Cristiano Ronaldo's trademark celebration. Article content Toronto cut the deficit to 2-1 in the 70th minute via an own goal. Corbeanu beat a defender down the right flank, reached the byline and sent in a cross that deflected off defender Justin Haak and then Romero into the goal. Article content O'Toole restored New York's two-goal lead in the 74th minute. Kosi Thompson was dispossessed and Maxi Moralez passed the ball to Wolf, who found O'Toole unchecked in the Toronto penalty box. The substitute dribbled towards goal and beat Johnson with a low shot. Article content Fraser went with the same lineup that beat visiting Portland 3-0 Saturday in what was TFC's best performance of the season.
Globe and Mail
04-07-2025
- Sport
- Globe and Mail
Toronto FC lose 3-1 to NYCFC in first game since buying out Insigne. Bernardeschi contracts
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). The win moved NYCFC up three places to sixth spot in the Eastern Conference, seven places and 14 points above Toronto. While Toronto (4-11-5) was competitive at Yankee Stadium, its offence was stagnant in the first half. There wasn't much offence until Ola Brynhildsen and Theo Corbeanu both tested New York 'keeper Tomas Romero around the hour mark. At the other end it too often allowed NYCFC attackers too clear a path to TFC's goal. Toronto FC buys out hefty contracts of Italy's Lorenzo Insigne, Federico Bernardeschi Toronto started brightly but found itself trailing 1-0 in the 20th minute when, after a NYCFC free kick, a cross found Wolf and the Austrian midfielder's stylish left-footed volley went in after beating Sean Johnson and hitting both goalposts. It was the ninth goal of the season for Wolf and his sixth in his last six games. Ilenic doubled the lead in the 49th minute, sticking out a leg to deflect in Agustín Ojeda's cross after the Argentine winger had been allowed to race towards the Toronto goal without challenge. Ilenic, a 20-year-old Slovenian international fullback, marked his second goal of the season with Cristiano Ronaldo's trademark celebration. Toronto cut the deficit to 2-1 in the 70th minute via an own goal. Corbeanu beat a defender down the right flank, reached the byline and sent in a cross that deflected off defender Justin Haak and then Romero into the goal. O'Toole restored New York's two-goal lead in the 74th minute. Kosi Thompson was dispossessed and Maxi Moralez passed the ball to Wolf, who found O'Toole unchecked in the Toronto penalty box. The substitute dribbled towards goal and beat Johnson with a low shot. Toronto coach Robin Fraser went with the same lineup that beat visiting Portland 3-0 Saturday in what was TFC's best performance of the season. Toronto moved the ball around but showed little in front of goal in a first half that saw both teams attempt four shots with NYCFC holding a 2-0 edge in shots on target. TFC defender Kevin Long was shown a yellow card in the second minute with midfielder Matty Longstaff following him into referee Fotis Bazakos' book in the 20th minute. Defender Richie Laryea, back from Gold Cup duty with Canada, came on in the 57th minute. Maxime Dominguez became the third TFC player to be cautioned after a tussle with Ilenic in the 67th minute. Thompson made his 100th appearance for TFC in all competitions. New York forward Alonso Martínez returned from international duty with Costa Rica but goalkeeper Matt Freese, the hero of the American penalty shootout quarter-final win over Honduras, remains at the Gold Cup. Romero, an El Salvador international and former Toronto player, started in goal for NYCFC. Canadian Greg Ranjitsingh, his backup, also had a stint with TFC. Toronto defenders Nicksoen Gomis, Zane Monlouis and Henry Wingo remain long-term casualties. Captain Jonathan Osorio was also out, recovering from a lower-body injury suffered with Canada, while midfielder Deybi Flores played in Honduras's 2-1 loss to Mexico in the Gold Cup semi-final Wednesday in California. Toronto signed TFC 2 defender Reid Fisher and midfielder Malik Henry to MLS short-term agreements for the game. Originally drafted by CF Montreal in the second round (39 overall) in the 2024 MLS SuperDraft, Henry's promotion cost Toronto a third-round draft pick in 2026 with US$75,000 in conditional general allocation money, given Montreal had retained his MLS priority rights. Henry came on in the 70th minute, picking up a yellow soon after. Toronto has had little success at NYCFC with a 1-6-5 regular-season record there. The lone win was a 1-0 decision on Sept. 23, 2020, thanks to a 90th-minute Alejandro Pozuelo penalty in a game played at Red Bull Arena. TFC has won two playoff games at NYCFC. Up next, Toronto hosts Atlanta United on July 12 while NYCFC visits Charlotte FC.
Toronto Sun
02-07-2025
- Sport
- Toronto Sun
MLSE boss says cutting Italian stars offers opportunity for Toronto FC
Published Jul 02, 2025 • 5 minute read Toronto FC looks to put internal bickering behind it and end a tumultuous week on a winning note as D.C. United comes to town Saturday. Toronto FC's Lorenzo Insigne (right) and Federico Bernardeschi confer over a free kick during action MLS action against New York Red Bulls in Toronto on Wednesday May 17, 2023. Photo by Chris Young / The Canadian Press Reviews and recommendations are unbiased and products are independently selected. Postmedia may earn an affiliate commission from purchases made through links on this page. In opening the MLSE vault to bring in Italian stars Lorenzo Insigne and Federico Bernardeschi midway through the 2022 MLS season, Toronto FC looked to change the struggling franchise's fortunes. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account It didn't happen. This week, the 4-10-5 team cut bait with the two designated players, agreeing to a mutual termination of contracts that ran through July 2026 for Insigne and December 2028 for Bernardeschi (who had previously triggered a contract extension). In other words, they agreed to a contract settlement less than the total money owed. Keith Pelley, president and CEO of Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment, sees the move as a necessary stepping stone in the team's rebuild. 'The importance of the DP strategy in MLS is critical,' he said in an interview. 'And unfortunately, in the greatest of intentions, this strategy of bringing two high-profile Europeans doesn't fit the ethos of the club and our on-field identity going forward. So this provides us with the flexibility and the opportunity to make the changes that we believe are needed to make us a contender on an annual basis for the MLS Cup.' This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. It comes with a massive bill, even for MLSE. The two players earned more than $64 million US combined, not counting the unspecified contract settlement, since their debut. That outlay produced 22 regular-season wins and a long-distance view of the playoffs. Insigne and Bernardeschi, who played under four different coaches often with less-than-stellar service, combined for 45 goals and 40 assists in 175 games across all competitions in TFC colours. Read More The departures leave Toronto with two open designated player spots, with the option of a third depending on what balance the club wants between DPs and U-22 initiative signings. Your noon-hour look at what's happening in Toronto and beyond. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. GM Jason Hernandez says the club now has options. 'We just haven't had that conversation in quite some time because we were locked into a certain path. And now we no longer are. So it's a very different landscape today.' With the summer transfer window opening July 24, TFC is already eyeing new talent. Pelley said coach Robin Fraser was reviewing film of a possible target Tuesday night. And Hernandez said his phone has been busy since news of the Italians' departure broke. In cutting the Italians loose, TFC frees up their salary cap hits — pegged at $743,750 apiece, the maximum salary cap charge for a designated player — as well as half of the general allocation money involved. Pelley, who took charge of MLSE in April 2024, says despite the size of the payout, there will be funds to find new talent. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'I'm not going to get into the financials but it's a strong statement from ownership to allow us to negotiate a settlement with both players,' he said. 'We now will turn our attention to making the right move for the right player and to change the DP strategy moving forward.' Added Hernandez: 'I think the commitment will continue in the investment space. It will just be dedicated and allocated much more efficiently.' RECOMMENDED VIDEO With a salary of $15.4 million, Insigne ranked second on the MLS pay scale behind only Lionel Messi's $20.5 million. Bernardeschi ranked sixth at $6.295 million. The next highest paid Toronto player is Norwegian striker Ola Brynhildsen at $1,629,610. Seven players are earning less than $100,000. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Fraser suggested the salary discrepancy between the Italians and the rest of the squad did not help foster team spirit. 'If the salaries are closer to being in line with the rest of the group — or even the rest of the league — I think it builds more of a team feeling,' Fraser said. 'And that's the thing that's really important — being able to make sure that the team functions like a team.' 'The key is that whatever we do in terms of spending, we need to bring in people that are going to continue to enhance the team feeling. Just by the disparity of salaries alone, there can be a sense of a great division within the team.' Norwegian defender Sigurd Rosted, however, had a different view. 'To be honest, players don't think about paycheque at all. That's more media, you guys, and probably the fans as well,' said Rosted, whose salary of $805,000 works out to about 5% of Insigne's pay This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'As teammates they always did everything they could for the club. They always worked hard. So as players they were amazing. As individuals they were amazing as well, so of course we're going to miss them.' Talks had been ongoing with Insigne's camp for 'probably a few transfer windows,' said Hernandez. But transfers to clubs in Italy, Spain, Turkey and Brazil were not accepted. Talks with Bernardeschi, meanwhile, started 'the last several weeks.' 'Both happened to come to fruition at the same time,' said Hernandez, who was promoted to GM from assistant GM in June 2023. Bill Manning, who oversaw the acquisition of the Italians as team president, was fired in July 2024. For Fraser, there is clarity now. 'The club has wanted to move in a direction of prioritizing looking at players for next year, evaluating the guys we have on loan, certainly evaluating the younger players,' he said. 'With injuries and that we're starting to see more and more of what we have.' This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Hernandez called Saturday's 3-0 win over the visiting Portland Timbers 'hopefully a small glimpse of actually what we want to look like on the pitch.' TFC starts life without the Italians on Thursday against New York City FC at Yankee Stadium. NYCFC (8-7-4) sits ninth in the Eastern Conference, occupying the last playoff position, four places and 11 points above Toronto. Seven of those New York wins have come at home (7-1-1). New York forward Alonso Martinez returns from international duty with Costa Rica but goalkeeper Matt Freese, the hero of the American penalty shootout quarterfinal win over Honduras, is still at the Gold Cup. Fraser said defenders Nicksoen Gomis, Zane Monlouis and Henry Wingo remain long-term casualties. Defenders Richie Laryea, back from Gold Cup duty with Canada, and Kobe Franklin are available for selection while midfielders Jonathan Osorio and Markus Cimermancic are nearing a return to action. Sports Money News News Relationships MLB
