Toronto FC finally triumphed 1-0 over New York City FC, with a stunning strike by recent signing CJ Sapong.
Sapong joined Toronto in a trade with Nashville SC before the league’s Primary Transfer Window closed on April 24. He’s now made an immediate impact for his new side, netting the winning brace in Matchday 10.
It was Sapong’s first strike in almost a year, with his last goal coming against the Colorado Rapids on May 28, 2022. It was an all-important goal, as it helped Toronto to just their second victory of the 2023 MLS campaign.
“Stepping on to the pitch, I was just really wanting to relish an opportunity to provide an impact, and you know, credit to the group. We moved together. The communication was top. The passion was there as well. I just felt like at any moment we could score a goal. I felt like we were making big stops both sides of the ball,” Sapong said following the win against NYCFC.
“So as a No. 9, it’s a really good feeling to come into a group that you just met this week and feel like there’s comfort and passion around and things like that. Very surreal experience for me. I’ll remember this one for a long time.”
Bradley had nothing but praise for Sapong, highlighting his ability to hold-up play as well as making selfless runs into the box: “He’s got good timing not only to hold the ball but to come away from the defenders in certain moments; the quality of some of the little soft passes when they come to him. And then he’s unselfish with his running in the box.”
“Tonight, he got the goal but when you have a striker who runs hard in the box, it oftentimes does a lot to create chances for others. He brings a lot of good quality.”
The Reds will hope that Sapong can build off his debut goal when they host the top of the Eastern Conference New England Revolution Saturday night.
Credit: 90min.com
