Toronto FC's first home win of the season, a 1-0 victory over Charlotte FC on Saturday, was a significant moment for captain Jonathan Osorio.
It was a special game for Osorio, marking his 300th appearance in MLS regular-season and playoff games. The match also fell exactly 11 years after his debut for his hometown club, when he came on as a substitute for Terry Dunfield — who is now an assistant coach under John Herdman — in a 2-1 win over Sporting Kansas City at Rogers Centre.
However, Osorio was focused on the present, rather than dwelling on the past.
When asked about the milestones, he said, "I was living in the moment." He explained that he was unaware of the milestones until after the game.
He added, "While the milestones are great, all I really care about is that we won our home opener and continue to perform well."
The win over Charlotte marked Toronto's third consecutive clean sheet, propelling them into sixth place in Major League Soccer. This is a significant improvement from last season, when they were the worst team in the league.
Osorio hails from a city with a rich history of sports leadership, including notable names from the Toronto Maple Leafs. In contrast, Toronto FC has had fewer captains, including Jim Brennan, Dwayne De Rosario, Maicon Santos, Torsten Frings, Darren O'Dea, Steven Caldwell, and Michel Bradley.
Herdman, who previously coached Osorio with Canada, cites the midfielder as a key factor in his decision to leave the national team and take over as TFC's coach on Oct. 1.
He expressed, "I've worked with (Christine) Sinclair, I've worked with Atiba Hutchinson. Just some great individuals. They are at the core of your leadership group. And if you have a player with that kind of character, that high-level character, like the highest standard of character, you want to work with these people.
So for me, the discussion about coming to TFC was, 'Are you going to be there? Are you committed? Will you wear the captain's armband? Are you committed to taking this club back — and beyond where it was?' And he was.
According to Herdman, Osorio, referred to simply as Oso, is "the hardest-working player on the team."
Herdman also echoed Osorio's words from Saturday, showing his approval.
He added, "You can see his quality. He is willing to put in selfless effort, but he can also demonstrate quality in those critical moments."
Herdman repeated Osorio's words from Saturday, indicating his approval of them.
Herdman mentioned, "What he said at the end of the game sums him up — 'It's just another step, guys. Just one more step to bringing this club to where it needs to be.'"
Herdman added, "That's his mentality. He's always looking ahead to the next step. He never dwells on the past and is not willing to wait around to be pushed. He pushes everyone."
As of today, Osorio has made the most appearances for the club, with 344 in all competitions. He ranks third in goals with 62 (behind Sebastian Giovinco's 83 and Jozy Altidore's 79) and second in assists with 50 (behind Giovinco's 52).
Former coach Ryan Nelsen deserves credit for identifying Osorio as a player to watch early in the 2013 season and giving him the opportunity to prove himself.
Jonathan Osorio is not easily bothered by difficult moments during games, according to Nelsen in August 2013. Osorio always seeks to approach things in a positive manner, rather than withdrawing. Nelsen admires this attitude and believes that people who maintain a positive outlook are rewarded by both the game and life in general.
Osorio's path back to his hometown club was not a quick one. As a teenager, he spent two years at Club Nacional in Montevideo, Uruguay, along with his longtime friend and fellow Canadian international Lucas Cavallini. They were part of the under-19 ranks and reserves before returning home at the end of 2011.
Despite speaking the language and having family ties to the region, Osorio and Cavallini initially faced a lack of acceptance. They resided in dormitory-style accommodations, and some Uruguayan juniors initially viewed them as unwanted outsiders trying to take their positions.
Osorio emphasized the importance of his time in Uruguay, stating in a 2022 interview that it played a crucial role in shaping his current identity and skills as a player. He expressed deep gratitude for his experiences there.
Following an impressive performance in the Canadian Soccer League, Osorio joined TFC’s academy in September 2012. By February 2013, he had caught the eye of Toronto's camp in Florida and earned a spot in Nelsen’s first starting 11.
Osorio has remained with the team, signing a three-year deal with a club option for 2026 in December 2022. His salary of US$1.4 million last season placed him third on the club, behind Italians Lorenzo Insigne (US$15.4 million) and Federico Bernardeschi (US$6.295 million).
Fluent in Spanish, Osorio is skilled at building connections both on and off the field.
