Inter Toronto are off the mark in the 2026 season, with a 1-0 home victory over Vancouver FC.
Gabriel Bitar's sixth-minute strike proved to be the difference, as Inter Toronto picked up their first win of the campaign.
It was the third straight 1-0 loss that Vancouver FC have suffered to begin the season as their offensive woes continue.
Inter Toronto manager Mauro Eustáquio named an unchanged eleven as his side once again lined up in a very attack-minded 3-5-2. His former boss Martin Nash, meanwhile, made two changes to his Vancouver FC group, handing Aboubacar Traore his full debut, and slotting Emrick Fotsing into midfield.
In the sixth minute, the hosts opened the scoring. Shola Jimoh cut down the left flank and sent a dangerous ball into the box, which deflected into the path of Bitar. His strike then took another deflection and wrong-footed Callum Irving in the Vancouver net.
The visitors had their first significant chance around the half-hour mark as Thierno Bah forced a solid save from Diego Urtiaga, before Traore curled the rebound narrowly over the bar.
Bah had another decent opportunity as the ball fell to him at the top of the box in first-half stoppage time, but it was blocked before it could challenge Urtiaga. As a result, Inter Toronto held their 1-0 lead heading into the half.
Moments into the second half, the Eagles had a penalty shout as Bah collided with Luke Singh in the box. At the behest of his player, Vancouver coach Martin Nash used his second and final FVS challenge of the match to have the referee review the play. The original decision was upheld, however, and there was no penalty awarded.
Vancouver had a great opportunity on a counterattack in the 59th minute, as Morey Doney picked out Traore at the back post, but he sent his shot from close range wide of the target. Still, it was a sign of the momentum as Vancouver put the hosts under significant pressure through the early stages of the second half.
The hosts looked to defend their lead through an attacking approach, as they again brought in Béni Badibanga and Ollie Bassett together in the 75th minute.
In the 89th minute, Terran Campbell forced another good save from Urtiaga with a thunderous volley in the box. Moments later, he sent a strike just wide that had the Inter Toronto goalkeeper scrambling.
Bassett nearly put the match to bed as he and Jessé Costa broke away late in stoppage time with Irving out of his net. But Irving got back and tackled him off the ball, which ended up being the final kick of the match.
After conceding a late equalizer last week, Inter Toronto held on for big home points this time.
BOX SCORE
Lineups
Inter Toronto: Urtiaga; Singh, Guzmán, Sturing; Ferrari, Córdova (Accettola 67'), Yeates, Bitar (Badibanga 75'), Jimoh (Costa 59'); Altobelli, Skublak (Bassett 75')
Vancouver FC: Irving; Doner (Toomey 81'), Campagna, Field, Gee; Polisi, Fotsing (Mezquida 63'), Pecile (Ouattara 80'); Traore (Proctor 73'), Amissi, Bah (Campbell 63')
Goals
6' -- Gabriel Bitar (Inter Toronto)
Discipline
*5' — Yellow: Shola Jimoh (Inter Toronto)
45+4' -- Yellow: Max Ferrari (Inter Toronto)
55' -- Yellow: Tomasz Skublak (Inter Toronto)
75' -- Yellow: Julian Altobelli (Inter Toronto)
88' -- Yellow: Steffen Yeates (Inter Toronto)
CPLSoccer.com Player of the Match
Gabriel Bitar, Inter Toronto
The Inter Toronto goalscorer was solid in his 75 minutes on the pitch. He also created a chance, won four of seven duels and made two challenges during a strong performance in central midfield.
What’s next?
Inter Toronto head on the road for the first time this season, as they take on Cavalry FC at ATCO Field on Saturday, April 25 (5 p.m. ET).
Vancouver FC, meanwhile, travel to the nation's capital, where they will take on Atlético Ottawa in their 2026 home opener (1 p.m. ET / 10 a.m. PT)
For broadcast details of the 2026 CPL season, go to cplsoccer.com/watch.