Deandre Kerr’s Off-Bench Brace Breaks Toronto FC’s Winless Streak Against Philadelphia

With both teams struggling with a nine-game winless streak, Toronto FC and the Philadelphia Union battled it out on lakeshore for matchday 26 of the 2024 MLS season.

Visiting Philadelphia Union opened the scoring first in the 39th minute after Tai Baribo jumped above the Toronto FC defence and headed home Kai Wagner’s freekick.

The first half would end in favour of the visiting side with 1-0 across the first 45 minutes.

In the second half TFC head coach John Herdman made a key substition which was bringing on Deandre Kerr in the 62nd minute of the second half, as this would awake the goals for the home side.

The 75th minute saw some swift action and a spectacular diving header from Jahkeele Marshall-Rutty that crossed the ball into the box towards Deandre Kerr. Finding himself in the box, Kerr slotted it away for the Reds to level things up at BMO Field.

The goal that would give Toronto the lead would come yet again from substitute Deandre Kerr, this time around in the 78th minute just three minutes after his first. Lorenzo Insigne, who was also subbed at halftime, would assist Kerr, passing it to him in the box. Kerr made no mistake with his strike, giving Toronto and the crowd the three points and most importantly the win after nine game winless streak.

“Let’s get back on task now, we needed that feeling tonight,” proclaimed John Herdman after the match.

The three points at home was especially needed to break the winless and streak and to hopefully spark with what will be a tough next couple of week’s for the Reds on the road.

Toronto’s next league game is on Wednesday where they will take on Inter Miami for the first time this season.