Bernardeschi comment ‘out of line,’ coach says

TORONTO FC

Italian star Federico Bernardeschi’s emotional outburst after Toronto FC’s weekend 1-0 loss in Austin was “out of line,” says TFC coach Bob Bradley.

“Fede was wrong for speaking that way after the game,” Bradley said. “It was a tough loss, a late goal after we had defended in a really good way … We’ve now discussed it inside the team. (I) made it clear that that was out of line.”

The veteran coach, in his first public comments on Bernardeschi’s outburst, also suggested that the Italian could help the team in other ways than venting.

Bernardeschi seemingly took square aim at his coach in a virtual availability with media after the Austin loss, which dropped Toronto’s record to 2-5-7 in the Eastern Conference basement.

“We don’t have any idea (how) to play,” the Italian star said. “I think this city, the fans, everybody, don’t deserve this. And I think maybe we need to change something. We need a little bit more tactics. We need an idea how we play, because this is the real problem for me. It’s impossible to play like this when we play without (an) idea.”

It was an unwelcome bombshell for a struggling team.

“I understand the frustration that exists, with the players, with the fans,” Bradley said. “I take the responsibility every day to think through — with the staff — the best way to message, the best way to then put training together, the best idea on how we need to play. So when I keep saying that’s the work, that’s what’s going on every day.”

Injury-ravaged Toronto, currently mired in a 404-minute scoring drought, is winless in its last four league outings (0-3-1) and has won just once in its last 11 outings (1-5-5) in all competitions. Toronto’s last goal came April 29.

We don’t have any idea (how) to play. I think this city, the fans, everybody, don’t deserve this.

Toronto was missing 10 players through injury or suspension for Saturday’s loss in Austin, an absentees list that included Insigne and fellow starters Michael Bradley, Jonathan Osorio and Sigurd Rosted.

Insigne and Bernardeschi joined Toronto midway through the season last year, with Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment digging deep into its pockets to secure the Italian stars in the hope that they could lead TFC out of the MLS wilderness.

Insigne, who ranks second on the MLS pay list at $7.5 million (U.S.) this season, has seven goals and two assists in 18 league appearances since joining the club. Bernardeschi, No. 4 at $6.295 million, has 11 goals and six assists in 27 games.

Toronto hosts D.C. United on Saturday.

FEDERICO BERNARDESCHI ON SATURDAY