How Luca Petrasso Went From Lawn-Care King to CF Montréal’s Secret Weapon — #13’s Moves Will Make You Question Gravity (and Your Fantasy Picks)
If you follow Major League Soccer, you know how tough it is to find a truly dependable left-back. Luca Petrasso gives CF Montréal exactly that, and honestly, that’s not something you see every day. A homegrown talent from North York, Ontario, Petrasso brings MLS experience, versatility, and steady defensive play to the club’s back line. He’ll wear number 13 this season, arriving after spells with Toronto FC and Orlando City SC, and he looks set to make a real impact in 2025.
Petrasso’s journey started when he joined Toronto FC’s academy at just 12. He moved up through their reserve teams, eventually earning a spot with the first team. At Toronto, he played 27 matches and helped win a Canadian Championship title in 2022. Then came a trade to Orlando City, where he picked up Concacaf Champions Cup and Leagues Cup experience. Now with CF Montréal, he brings that MLS-tested reliability every club wants in their defensive core.
He grew up in the Canadian youth system, developing his game with real patience and adaptability. You’ll notice how he balances defensive discipline with the urge to push forward, giving Montréal some much-needed balance on the left. His rise from academy hopeful to established MLS defender really shows what patience and skill development can do.
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Profile of Luca Petrasso
Here’s the thing: you get a player who came up through a top Canadian academy, earned his stripes in Major League Soccer, and now lines up for CF Montréal. His career path feels like a steady climb, with every move giving him new challenges to tackle.
Early Life and Background
Luca Petrasso was born on June 16, 2000, in North York, Ontario. He joined Toronto FC’s academy in 2013 when he was just 12, and he moved up the youth ranks pretty quickly.
He spent nearly a decade in one system, which shaped his approach to the game. He played for Toronto FC II in both the USL Championship and USL League One, getting solid professional experience before his MLS debut.
In 2022, Toronto FC brought him up to the first team. He made 27 appearances and chipped in with three assists. That season, he also helped the club win the Canadian Championship.
Afterward, Toronto traded him to Orlando City SC. He played in MLS, Concacaf Champions Cup, and Leagues Cup matches there. In February 2025, CF Montréal signed Petrasso to a one-year deal, with options for 2026 and 2027.
He skipped college, choosing to focus on his pro career from the start.
Physical Attributes
Petrasso stands 180 cm (5’11”) and mainly plays as a left-back. Being left-footed, he gives Montréal a natural option on that side of defense.
His frame lets him compete in aerial duels but he also moves well. You’ll notice how quickly he covers ground, whether he’s recovering defensively or making overlapping runs.
Key Physical Data
| Attribute | Measurement |
|---|---|
| Height | 180 cm |
| Preferred Foot | Left |
| Position | Left-Back |
| Jersey Number | 13 |
He uses his frame to shield the ball and battle in physical challenges, but honestly, his real strength is in his positioning and timing, not just brute force.
Playing Style and Strengths
You’re getting a defender who’s not afraid to push forward. Petrasso likes to overlap the winger and send in crosses from wide areas. His left foot is reliable for short passes and longer switches.
Defensively, he positions himself to intercept passes and slow down tricky wingers. He relies on reading the game, not just pure speed.
When he’s on the ball, he keeps it simple. He moves it quickly to help the team keep its shape. That MLS experience with Toronto and Orlando shows in how calm he stays under pressure.
He works best in a system that wants full-backs to contribute at both ends, mixing defensive discipline with attacking support.
CF Montréal Career
Luca Petrasso joined CF Montréal in 2025 after stints with Toronto FC, Orlando City, and Italy’s US Triestina. He brings real MLS experience and can fill several defensive roles, which is gold in a league with such a packed schedule. Montréal’s strategy to add younger Canadian talent with top-flight minutes makes sense, and Petrasso fits right in.
Signing and Contract Details
CF Montréal announced Petrasso’s signing on February 7, 2025. The contract covers the 2025 season, with club options for 2026 and 2027. That gives Montréal some flexibility while locking in a player in his prime.
At 25, Petrasso came from Orlando City, where he played 14 matches in 2023. In 2024, he went on loan to US Triestina in Serie C, making 14 appearances including playoff matches.
He’s the younger brother of former Montréal player Michael Petrasso, so there’s a family connection to the club. Standing 5’11” and weighing 168 lbs, he fits both left-back and wing-back roles. His path from Toronto FC’s academy to MLS and then abroad shows he’s kept pushing himself.
Role in the Team
Expect Petrasso to fight for minutes mostly on the left side of defense. Montréal’s staff likes his ability to play as a traditional left-back, a wing-back in a back five, or even as a left-sided center back if things get tight.
His versatility means the coach can tweak tactics without making subs. That’s huge in MLS, where travel and fixture congestion can really stretch a squad. He gives you reliable service from wide areas and isn’t shy about getting into the attacking third.
He’s not going to rack up goals, but his crossing and link-up play in transition make him a handy outlet. His defensive positioning and work rate help Montréal guard against counterattacks, especially when they push numbers forward.
Notable Performances
Petrasso’s best MLS stretch came with Toronto FC in 2022. He tallied 4 assists in 23 matches, logging 1,684 minutes and starting 21 games. That’s a full workload for a young defender.
Here’s a quick look at his recent stats:
| Year | Club | Matches | Minutes | Goals | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Toronto FC | 23 | 1,684 | 0 | 4 |
| 2023 | Orlando City | 14 | 452 | 0 | 0 |
| 2024 | US Triestina | 14 | N/A | 0 | 0 |
His time in Italy gave him a taste of a different tactical approach. Those matches sharpened his defensive instincts and decision-making under pressure. That mix of MLS and European experience now gives Montréal’s back line a real boost.
For more on his signing, check out CF Montréal’s official announcement.
Toronto FC Journey
Let’s talk about that climb from academy prospect to first team regular. It’s not easy, but Petrasso made it look steady, thanks to consistent performances and a knack for adapting. His early development and professional readiness really set him up for key moments in major competitions.
Youth Academy Development
He entered the Toronto FC academy in 2013 at just 12, juggling school and a tough training schedule. The program focused on technical skills, tactical awareness, and building up physical strength.
Playing against older players, he had to learn how to read the game and adjust his positioning. Training often mirrored first team drills, so he got a taste of the pro environment early.
By 2018, he signed his first pro contract and joined Toronto FC II in the USL. The next year, he played in USL League One, picking up valuable minutes against seasoned opponents.
| Year | Team | League | Appearances | Goals | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | Toronto FC II | USL Championship | 21 | 0 | 1 |
| 2019 | Toronto FC II | USL League One | 23 | 0 | 2 |
That experience made his jump to the first team a lot smoother.
First Team Breakthrough
He officially joined the first team in early 2022. Petrasso stepped into MLS with the confidence of someone who had already put in years of work.
Playing as a left-back, he appeared in 27 matches across all competitions. He notched three assists, often joining the attack while still taking care of defensive duties.
MLS play required quicker decisions and sharper ball movement. He faced some of the league’s best wingers, which forced him to improve his one-on-one defending.
His versatility let coaches use him in different roles, which only increased his value to the squad. That smooth transition from USL to MLS came from all those years in the academy and reserves.
Achievements with Toronto FC
In 2022, Petrasso helped Toronto FC win the Canadian Championship. That run had him putting in disciplined defensive shifts and chipping in on the attack when needed.
The title gave his resume some real weight and proved he could handle big moments.
Here’s a look at his Toronto FC stats:
| Competition | Matches | Goals | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|
| MLS | 23 | 0 | 3 |
| Canadian Championship | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Other Competitions | 2 | 0 | 0 |
By November 2022, his performances caught the eye of other MLS clubs, leading to the trade to Orlando City SC.
MLS and North American Experience
You’ve seen Luca Petrasso carve out a career with steady MLS minutes, a move to Orlando City SC, and even a loan stint in Italy’s Serie C. He’s shown he can handle both domestic league play and international challenges, which says a lot about his adaptability and versatility.
MLS Appearances and Contributions
Petrasso entered MLS as a homegrown player from Toronto FC’s academy. He made his first-team debut in 2022 and quickly became a regular, showing he could lock down the left side. His skill set lets him play both left-back and wing-back.
So far, he’s picked up four assists in 37 MLS appearances. He focuses more on short passing, overlapping runs, and smart defensive positioning than piling up attacking stats.
MLS Career Stats
| Season | Club | Appearances | Assists | Goals | Minutes Played |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Toronto FC | 23 | 4 | 0 | 1,800+ |
| 2023 | Orlando City | 14 | 0 | 0 | 900+ |
His ability to slot into different defensive shapes gives coaches a lot of options, especially in systems where fullbacks need to step into midfield.
Orlando City SC Tenure
When you look at his time with Orlando City SC, it really feels like a period of adjustment. He came over from Toronto FC ahead of the 2023 season and had to fight for minutes in a squad that already had some pretty established defenders.
He played in 14 league matches, usually coming off the bench or stepping in when the schedule got packed. Sure, he didn’t notch any goals or assists, but you could see his defensive work rate and tactical discipline every time he got on the field.
Orlando tried him out both in a traditional back four and as a wing-back in a 3-5-2. That kind of variety definitely pushed him to improve his positional awareness and adaptability.
Loan to US Triestina
In 2024, Petrasso went on loan to US Triestina, a club in Italy’s Serie C. That was his first real taste of professional soccer outside North America, and it threw him into a different style of play.
Serie C moves at a slower pace and puts a lot of focus on tactics, so he had to tighten up his defensive positioning and keep his cool on the ball under pressure. He got some valuable minutes against experienced European forwards—never a bad thing for growth.
Living in a new country, learning the language, and picking up on the football culture there all challenged him in new ways. That experience adds another layer to his profile now that he’s back in MLS with CF Montréal.
Family and Personal Connections
A lot of Luca Petrasso’s soccer journey comes back to his family. Growing up in North York, Toronto, with another pro player in the house, he got an early look at what the sport really demands. That environment shaped how he approached training, competition, and the big choices in his career.
Relationship with Michael Petrasso
Michael Petrasso, Luca’s older brother, has played professionally for both club and country, including a stint with the Canadian men’s national team. You can see the influence—Luca plays with a measured, disciplined style and pays attention to the little things that matter in pro soccer.
The two trained together as kids. Michael’s experience in Europe and MLS gave Luca a sort of roadmap for what it takes to reach the top. Having a brother who’s gone through transfers, national team call-ups, and injuries meant Luca could learn from real-life situations, not just theory.
Notable Career Overlap
| Player | Career Start | National Team Caps | Primary Position |
|---|---|---|---|
| Michael Petrasso | 2012 | 9 | Right winger |
| Luca Petrasso | 2018 | Youth (U17) | Left-back |
The brothers haven’t played together on the same club, but they’ve stayed close through Canadian soccer circles.
Influence of Family on Career
You can’t really understand Luca’s career without looking at his family’s impact. From his early days at Kleinburg-Nobleton SC to the Toronto FC Academy, his family always supported him. They made it possible to balance school, training, and travel—no small feat, honestly.
His parents pushed both sons to take soccer seriously, but they also cared about education. Luca went to St. Brother André Catholic High School, juggling classes with the demands of academy soccer. That kind of discipline stuck with him through Toronto FC II, Orlando City, and now CF Montréal.
Family support wasn’t just about encouragement. They drove him to training, gave honest feedback after games, and had those tough conversations about performance. You can see it in how Luca approaches every club move—with preparation and a real plan for development.
Honours and Career Highlights
Luca Petrasso has climbed steadily from youth academy hopeful to a pro who’s made real contributions at the top level of Canadian soccer. He’s won silverware and made some key moves that shaped his growth and his place in Major League Soccer.
Canadian Championship Success
The year 2022 stands out—Luca Petrasso lifted his first major trophy. Playing for Toronto FC, he featured in several competitions and helped the team win the Canadian Championship.
That tournament win meant a lot. It gave him his first real piece of silverware and proved he belonged in a first-team squad fighting for honors.
He wasn’t there to score goals, but he provided stability and service from the left side. Across 27 matches that season, he chipped in 3 assists, showing he could help in attack while handling his defensive job.
| Year | Club | Competition | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Toronto FC | Canadian Championship | Champion |
Key Career Milestones
Let’s go back to 2013. That’s when he joined the Toronto FC Academy—he was just 12.
By 2018, he’d signed his first pro contract and jumped into Toronto’s reserve squad in the USL.
In 2019, he made the switch to USL League One. Those minutes on the pitch really mattered, and soon after, he landed a first-team contract with Toronto FC in 2022.
That year, he started making regular appearances, not just in league matches but also in cup games.
On November 9, 2022, Toronto traded him to Orlando City SC. He played in 17 matches over two seasons, including some action in the Concacaf Champions Cup and the Leagues Cup.
In 2025, CF Montréal brought him in on a deal through 2025, with options for two more years. He wears the number 13 shirt and usually lines up as a left-back, though he’s filled in wherever the defense has needed him.
| Year | Club | League/Competition | Appearances | Goals | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | Toronto FC II | USL Championship | — | — | — |
| 2019 | Toronto FC II | USL League One | — | — | — |
| 2022 | Toronto FC | MLS/Canadian Champ. | 27 | 0 | 3 |
| 2023–24 | Orlando City SC | MLS, Cups, CCC | 17 | 0 | — |
| 2025 | CF Montréal | MLS | — | — | — |
