Toronto FC Say Goodbye to Lorenzo Insigne and Federico Bernardeschi – What Comes Next?

On July 1st — Canada Day — Toronto FC made a massive decision: parting ways with their two biggest stars. It was a scenario that felt inevitable, considering how things have played out over the past few seasons. While questions remain about what’s next for both players, reports (via Fabrizio Romano) suggest Bernardeschi may be heading back to Italy, with Bologna showing interest. TFC, meanwhile, thanked both men for their contributions and wished them well moving forward.

Grazie, Lorenzo.

Toronto FC and Lorenzo Insigne agree on mutual contract termination.

📰: https://t.co/kRt7wIJj7c pic.twitter.com/iNUzRm4z3j

— Toronto FC (@TorontoFC) July 1, 2025

Thank you, Fede.

Toronto FC and Federico Bernardeschi have reached a mutual decision to part ways.

📰: https://t.co/ALac2Pp2lV pic.twitter.com/RZko9t19Cd

— Toronto FC (@TorontoFC) July 1, 2025

TFC With Insigne and Bernardeschi

Lorenzo Insigne

Insigne joined TFC in January 2022, fresh off a Euro 2020 win with Italy. He was expected to become the face of the team, arriving as one of the highest-paid players in MLS — second only to Messi. During his time in Toronto, Insigne featured in 76 matches, scoring 19 goals and adding 18 assists across all competitions.

Federico Bernardeschi

Bernardeschi joined later that same season, also in his prime and fresh from Juventus. Given his pedigree and recent European Championship win, fans had every reason to be excited. He played 99 matches for the Reds, scoring 26 goals and assisting 22.

From a purely statistical standpoint, both players performed relatively well. But as far as team results go, that’s where things begin to fall apart.

TFC Results with the Italians

The past three seasons have been tough for Toronto fans:

Season	Wins	Draws	Losses	Points	Eastern Conference Rank
2022	9	7	18	34	13th
2023	4	10	20	22	14th
2024	11	4	19	37	11th

In their first two seasons with Insigne and Bernardeschi, TFC finished amognst the of the table. Even with slight improvement in 2024, they still missed the playoffs. And this season hasn’t started much better — the team currently sits 13th in the East.

Why Didn’t it Work Out

1. Poor Team Building

There’s no denying the quality both players brought. But putting such a large chunk of the club’s resources into two high-profile signings came at the expense of squad depth. On top of that, both Insigne and Bernardeschi were not known for their defensive work rate. To make that work, the rest of the team needed to be rock solid — and it wasn’t.

2. Locker Room Tension

Throughout their tenure, reports of tension between the players and coaching staff surfaced — as well as conflicts between the two stars themselves. Chemistry, both on and off the pitch, seemed to be lacking.

What’s Next for TFC?

There’s no doubt things will look different without Insigne and Bernardeschi — they were responsible for the bulk of TFC’s goal contributions in recent years. But there’s reason for optimism.

Take the club’s two most recent matches as an example:

• 1–1 draw vs. NY Red Bulls
• 3–0 win vs. Portland

In both games, TFC looked like a completely different team — organized, motivated, and united. They didn’t just play for a result; they showed intent, grit, and control for large portions of the match.

Now, the spotlight can shift toward emerging talent. I believe Theo Corbeanu will be key — likely becoming the main creative force and goal threat. I’m also excited to see more of Spicer, who still has a lot to prove, but shows promise. With the transfer window now open, all eyes will be on how TFC plans to address its depth and reshape the squad.

Your Thoughts

Was this the right move for TFC? Are you optimistic about the post-Italian era?

Let me know your thoughts in the comments section below.