Federico Bernardeschi expressed his delight at the return to scoring form of his Toronto FC team-mate Lorenzo Insigne.

Former Napoli star Insigne was left out of Toronto's opening matches this season, but netted his first goal of 2025 with a superb diving header against D.C. United last time out.

Insigne played a crucial role in Toronto's second goal in the 2-0 win, too, with his dangerous cross turned home by the unfortunate Lucas Bartlett.

Toronto held on to snap a two-game losing streak and claim their first home win in MLS this season.

"I'm very happy about him. He deserves it. He scored with the head," Bernardeschi said.

"I made a little bit of a joke with him. I say to him, 'I expect everything, but to score with the head no,' but he did well, so we are happy.

"We are happy about him and he has to be happy."

Next up for Insigne, Bernardeschi and Co. is a home clash against FC Cincinnati.

"Today was so important," Bernardeschi said of the win over D.C. 

"Honestly, we deserve it and now we have to push it and keep going like that, but it's important for the confidence of the team and in front of our fans.

"The stadium was amazing today, so it's very, very important today."

Toronto coach Robin Fraser also sang the praises of Insigne.

"I thought he was excellent," Fraser told reporters.

"Again, his intelligence and understanding of what's happening on the field offensively and defensively, I think, is underestimated.

"I thought it was really a very, very good performance for him. And scoring a goal, again, it's like the cherry on top because I thought his performance was very, very good."

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Toronto FC - Federico Bernardeschi

All eyes may have been on Insigne last time out, but Bernardeschi is Toronto's leading scorer (two) and assister (two) in MLS this season.

The Italian also leads the way for shots (22) and shots on target (10).

FC Cincinnati - Evander

Evander is having a brilliant season, having joined from the Portland Timbers.

He has certainly filled the void left by Lucho Acosta's departure, with Evander netting seven goals already for Cincinnati.

Evander had a goal and an assist in Cincinnati’s win on Saturday, his 15th match with multiple goal contributions in MLS. Only Acosta and Cucho Hernandez (17 each) have more since Evander made his MLS debut in 2023.

MATCH PREDICTION: CINCINNATI WIN

Cincinnati have won six of their last seven matches (L1), including a 2-1 victory over Austin FC on Saturday. They had won only five of their previous 17 matches in all competitions dating back to last season.

But Toronto have lost only two of their last six home matches (W1 D3, including a penalty shoot-out loss).

Cincinnati, though, have won six of their last seven matches against Toronto (D1), including all three meetings in Toronto during that time.

Toronto's last win over Cincinnati was a 3-2 victory in September 2021.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Toronto - 25.4%

Cincinnati - 51.4%

Draw - 23.2%