TFC2 2017 Discussion

[Gopherbashi]

5 hours ago, Kent said:

They came in with the understanding that their players would get to play competitive games in this league.

Wow, they must be really angry that they're getting demolished in the standings then.

[Rocket Robin]

Result and details of the Saturday August 5, 2017 USL game between
Toronto FC II and Charleston Battery played at The Soccer Centre
in Vaughan at 4:30pm.

51 min...TFC Shaan Hundal GOAL...CB Skylar Thomas in TFC end blasts
a 35 yard shot from right that's blocked and now he's out of position.
TFC Tsubasa Endoh sends pass forward on left to charging Hundal
at 35 yards between two other defenders CB Forrest Lasso and
CB Taylor Mueller and he runs to just inside left side of box and
rolls 18 yard shot into right corner of net with goalie
Odisnel Cooper sliding at 8 yards.

Final Score:...Toronto FC II.......1......Charleston Battery.....0....

Attendance was announced as 1145 on this mild and partly cloudy day.
The sun must have been out more than I thought as most of my game
notes were converted from wristwatch time as the sun was shining
on the scoreboard. It was also windy the whole game with crossfield
gusts from the west making high passes and clearance either die
or blow out of bounds. Only way to beat that was to keep the
ball on the ground although both teams did not follow that rule.

The attendance was excellent (relative to TFC II's other home games)
as they haven't played a home game since their win against Ottawa
on July 8. Since then their three game road trip they lost all
three without scoring. It had rained twice earlier in the
day and the MLS team's game away in Washington DC was starting
half hour after this game ended.

Man of the Match (who is always a TFC II player) was named
as Tsubasa Endoh. Just at that time I was over at the player's
gate asking Shaan Hundal to fill me in on the assist on his
goal...Ok it was Endoh. I had been marking Endoh as someone who
was among the worst at judging the wind with a cornerkick flying
from one side over the box and out for a throw-in and
a weak 33 yard freekick into the wind that didn't even make
the edge of the box. Only place windier than here is their
KIA Training Centre so they all should be quicker at adapting
than any visiting team. I said to Hundai that he should have
won the coffee product prize today.

Angelo Cavalluzzo earned the shutout for TFC. It was his tenth
start of the season. He hadn't been starting for about a month
with Mark Pais getting all the games. He had a few key saves
to make. Best was at 80 minutes when a Battery cornerkick from
the right had CB Taylor Mueller head the ball from 7 yards
on the right over to the left and CB Ricky Garbanzo took
a 12 yard shot that Cavalluzzo flew over to just under the bar
and palmed it over the top right corner. There was a big scare
in the last minute of injury time when CB Jarad van Schaik took
a 60 yard freekick down the middle and Cavalluzzo at 8 yards
even with the right post in a crowd of players in the box looked
like he palmed the ball into his own net but the referee
whistled play down as a CB player ran into him.

The 80 minute save is the kind that should be nominated for
Save-of-the-Week because of its importance. I was still
getting tweets and e-mails yesterday to vote for Mark Pais
for last week. Sure it looked better but if he hadn't stopped
it they would have lost 3-0 instead of 2-0.

Referee Chris Grabus (who I can't remember ever seeing before)
gave out two Yellow cards—one to each team. CB Ricky Garbanza
either on a delayed call or talking away from the play
at 17 minutes and TFC Julian Dunn-Johnson in second half injury
time for stalling around taking a throw-in. The game didn't
look rough at all.  An official monitoring the game answered
me that Grabus was from Montreal. 

Starting Canadians (seven!) on TFC included goalie Cavalluzzo,
defender Julian Dunn-Johnson (age 17, I think I've had that
wrong in my last few reports), midfielders Ryan Telfer,
Liam Fraser and Aidan Daniels, and forwards Hundal and
Malik Johnson. Johnson was subbed out at 74 minutes with
a leg injury and replaced by Canadian Sergio Camargo. Daniels
lasted 62 minutes. New 'pro signing' from their academy 18 year
old midfielder Dante Campbell came in at 82 minutes.
Luca Uccello is injured and didn't play today.

Battery defender Skylar Thomas played the first 76 minutes.
The Canadian played for TFC II last year. He mostly stayed
in the back but could be criticized for coming too far forward
on the TFC goal. Last year he was often in the opposition box
on corner kicks because he's 6'3".

The Battery got by without their top scorer Romario Williams
who has scored 14 goals this season which is higher than
the 11 that TFC have scored all season even after today.
He is back from the Gold Cup where Jamaica made the final
but missed today's game from what I read because of Yellow
card accumulation. Williams scored what turned out to be the
winner in the quarterfinal game against Canada.

[Late news: The Battery Twitter account at @Chas_Battery
put out a tweet that four players Romario Williams,
O'Brian Woodbine, Jeffrey Obiiteyt Otoo, and Maikel Chang
(first two Jamaicans, Ghanian, Cuban) were held at the border
on visa issues. That would account for only a five player bench.
Meanwhile in downtown Toronto, hundreds of thousands were
at the Caribana parade.]

It was a good result for TFC who avenge their worst loss
of the year when they traveled to Charleston and lost 6-1
on June 24.

The result improves TFC's record to 4 wins, 12 losses, 5 ties
for 17 points. They move from fifteenth (last in the
Eastern Conference) to fourteenth (if Richmond Kickers
don't get a result this weekend).

Charleston was in first place in the East but now have
a record of 10 wins, 5 losses, 7 ties for 37 points and
may be passed by one or two teams this weekend. Their
last six results have been tie, loss, loss, tie, tie,
and now loss to show they've really cooled down.

Next game for TFC II is on Wednesday and it has been moved
to BMO Field so they can bookend it after the
Toronto FC (MLS) first team practice and have a season
ticket holder's meal between the two events. I suspect
this has replaced the picnic at the KIA Training Centre
which had limited space and last year my invitation
was declined. The opponent on Wednesday
is Charlotte Independence who were second at the start
of the day on a ten game unbeaten streak. There is a good
chance they could be the first place team by the time
of that game.

Rocket Robin
robing@eol.ca
twitter@RocketRobin01

[Bison44]

Playing now vs Charlotte.  Spencer left game early with a knock (awww) Hundal and hamilton up front have both had good chances.  Dunn, Boskovic, Fraiser, Daniels and morgan also in the lineup.  I guess that means we wont see Hamilton or Morgan on the weekend with the big club.

[Gian-Luca]

Hamilton scores twice for TFC 2 in a 2-2 draw, including an injury time tying goal. 

[Rocket Robin]

Result and details of the Wednesday August 9, 2017 USL game between
Toronto FC II and Charlotte Independence played at BMO Field in Toronto at 8:00pm.

48 min...TFC Jordan Hamilton GOAL...TFC Aidan Daniels (correction) intercepts pass at 35 yards
and runs up right even with post to 18 yards and has shot blocked. He then rolls
ball to middle for TFC Tsubasa Endoh who dribbles forward a few steps to defender
and taps to left for Hamilton who runs to top left of 6 yard box and rolls ball
past another defender and sliding goalie into right corner of net.

61 min...Charlotte (TFC own goal) GOAL...CI Joel Johnson rushes up right to end
line and low 22 yard cross just before TFC Ashton Morgan slide can deflect
it behind line has CI David Estrada and TFC Mitchell Taintor with legs up lunge
for it at 8 yards along line and ball bounces at 2 yards and TFC goalie Mark Pais
on right post gets hand to but steers it into own net. [the goal was announced
as scored by Joel Johnson over the PA but USL records changed it to an own goal.]

64 min...Charlotte RED card...Donald Smith earns it as he and TFC Jordan McCrary
slide from opposite directions for a loose ball at TFC 35 yard line and Smith
studs catch chin of McCrary injuring him. McCrary had got foot to ball first
to clear.

78 min...Charlotte Jaime Siaj GOAL...TFC Jordan Hamilton is stripped of ball
from behind by CI Yann Elva in middle on edge of CI box. CI Henry Kalungi
is given short pass and he dribbles upfield on left and sends pass forward
from CI 50 yard line to Siaj running up sideline to get ball at TFC 30 yard
line. He dribbles forward and ahead of TFC Julian Dunn-Johnson and cuts towards
goal and shoots low 10 yarder from left into right corner of net past sliding
goalie on left edge of 6 yard box.

91 min...TFC Jordan Hamilton GOAL...Hamilton at 35 yards in middle rolls pass
to TFC Ashtone Morgan on left sideline past slide of CI David Estrada.
Morgan at 25 yard line runs forward to 15 yard line then rolls ball back
to TFC Liam Fraser and his cross from 35 yards on left finds Hamilton who
chests ball down at 12 yards on right and steps to center to get shot around
CI Austin Yearwood and curl it into left corner of net.

Final Score:...Toronto FC II.....2......Charlotte Independence....2...

Attendance started at 1000 which was about half the crowd that had watched
the TFC first team Open Practice that ended at 7:10pm. (more on that
at the bottom of this report). By halftime that had dropped to 750 and
down to less than 500 after Charlotte took the lead. Fans were squeezed
into the 100 sections of the East stands except for a small supporters group
who were allowed to move to the south endzone. About 200 Army cadets seated
together in the main stands started their own cheers at different times
of the game.

Referee David Barrie who switched places after the warm up from fourth
official to replace Marie-Soleil Beaudoin. He gave out three Yellow cards
late in the game (two to Charlotte for time-wasting) and the one
straight Red.

Two changes to the TFC lineup that surprised me because of their huge upset
win over the then Eastern Conference leaders Charleston Battery were that
Mark Pais was given the start in goal after Angelo Cavalluzo had registered 
a shutout in that game. Also the only goal scorer in that game,
Shaan Hundal started on the bench in favour of Ben Spencer but was subbed
in at 32 minutes after Spencer and CI Bilal Duckett crashed heads jumping
for a ball in the CI box six minutes earlier.

The Independence had an unusual lineup in that their two leading scorers
(with 12 goals each) did not start. Enzo Martinez was suspended for two
Yellow cards on the weekend—the second of which was from what I've heard
was pulling off his shirt celebrating his hat trick. (He was named
USL Player of the Week for that performance). George Herrara was the other
but he did sub in at 56 minutes. [Today, Thursday he was just awarded
USL Player of the Month for July].

Jordan Hamilton scored both goals for TFC II. I don't know if this
is enough to get him back onto the MLS roster but if the coaches hung
around after the practice they could see for themselves. Tsubasa Endoh
and Ashtone Morgan are also players who shuffle back and forth between
the two teams. They also played well tonight. Seventeen year old
Julian Dunn-Johnson continues to hang on to his starting position
in defence over TFC draft pick NCAA grad Brandon Aubrey. 86 minutes
had Dunn-Johnson make a sliding tackle just outside the box
on Yann Ekra who had gotten the ball at 45 yards and bashed up the
middle and was winding up for a shot and possible insurance goal.
None of the players in this game was part of the TFC Open Practice
held a few hours earlier.

TFC II had beaten the first place team on Saturday night in their
victory over Charleston Battery (Jordan Hamilton was not in their
lineup that night) and now have a result over the new leaders
Charlotte who took over that same night.

The tie improves TFC II's record to 4 wins, 12 losses, 6 ties
for 18 points and fourteenth place in the fifteen team Eastern
Conference. It is only the second game they have scored at least
two goals this season. A tie is not really good enough at this stage
of the season to climb into eighth place for the last playoff spot.
Sportsclubstats.com has their weighted average chances of making
the playoffs down to 0.2%.

The tie improves Charlotte's record to 11 wins, 3 losses, 7 ties
for 40 points and keeps them in first place in the East. They extend
their unbeaten streak to twelve games but would really have loved
to stretch their lead further in first place after taking over last
weekend for the first time this season.

Charlotte Independence is a rather newly formed team (2014) and took
the place of Charlotte Eagles who dropped to the PDL because of them.
Eagles just won the PDL Championship a few weeks ago in the playoff
final over Thunder Bay. They are not related. Two great teams!
Woooh! I believe the wrestlers Ric Flair and his daughter are also
from that city.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

The Toronto FC Open practice:

This was an event scheduled on a few weeks notice with invitations
sent out for TFC Season Ticket Holders to come and watch. I expect
this has replaced the annual BBQ held on a summer weekend at the
KIA Training Ground. That event has proven so popular that it was
available by lottery last year and I was not chosen to go.
BBQs were fun but it wasn't a time to meet the players as the MLS
team was usually out of town on that weekend. Sometimes injured
players were signing autographs. Yesterday's event also has probably
replaced the Open practice that was held for schoolkids as I haven't
hear of this year.  Everything today was General Admission
but only the 100 levels on the East side were opened up. I sat
in my usual SSH seat.

There was really nothing very interesting for me to watch. I always
try to get to the games before the gates open so I get to see the
players warm up for half hour before the match. There were a few
Q&A sessions—with microphones being passed around and a text address
to ask questions. They were all softballs about the main team
so there was no news discovered. The only question that interested
me was about the heart monitors/GPS system bibs that the players
wear. It turns out ALL their players wear them—some like to wear
it over their t-shirts and some under—I had believed only the over
the t-shirt wearers were participants. Fans from the supporter
groups chanted between breaks in the Q&A periods.

Recovering midfielder Steven Beitashour was practicing some running
drills away from the main practice and drew cheers when he ran
by our sideline later on.

They held a 20 minute 9 on 9 scrimmage game with goals
at the 25 yard lines and narrowed the field with pylons 7 yards
inward between first team players.

After practice Tosaint Ricketts and Jay Chapman were part of another
Q&A with just more softballs and nothing about the national team.

The schedule for me was going to be Open practice, dinner, and
TFC II game. It turned out since I wandered in through my usual
gate which was unguarded when I got there, I didn't get a voucher
for food. When I saw the vouchers that others had I didn't want
to lose my spot so didn't leave to come in through the proper gate.
I didn't want to buy anything...$6.00 for a slice of pizza...that
makes a good story about TFC's president Bill Manning comparing the
Toronto market with a pizza restaurant and only having enough room
for one in the city when he was initially questioned about the
upstart Canadian Premier League earlier this year.

Fans were encouraged to stay in their seats for the TFC II game
for free which would start within an hour later. I brought
my TFC II ticket with me anyway so it was no freebie for me.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

It was nice to get to get out of there and onto a half
empty streetcar. Also the Blue Jays baseball game was still
going on so I was able to get out of Union Station
on the subway without having to fight their fans for a seat.

TFC II's next game is Sunday against Bethlehem Steel to start
a three game road trip. Their next home game is Wednesday
August 30 against Saint Louis at their more familiar home
Ontario Soccer Centre in Vaughan.

Rocket Robin
robing@eol.ca
twitter RocketRobin01
 

[Gian-Luca]

Thanks for the report Robin, informative as always, however Having seen the highlights I believe it was Aiden Daniels that made the interception and run on the first goal.

Also after seeing the gift goal that Pais allowed, I hope Cavaluzzo is returned to the net so that he can try to extend his shutout streak.

As for the TFC coaches, I am sure they will have seen the game and be aware of how the senior team players played

[Rocket Robin]

15 minutes ago, Gian-Luca said:

Thanks for the report Robin, informative as always, however Having seen the highlights I believe it was Aiden Daniels that made the interception and run on the first goal.

Also after seeing the gift goal that Pais allowed, I hope Cavaluzzo is returned to the net so that he can try to extend his shutout streak.

As for the TFC coaches, I am sure they will have seen the game and be aware of how the senior team players played

Good call!  Yeah Malik Johnson actually replaced Aidan Daniels at 83 minutes.  Something about wearing numbers #55 and #56 that I mixed up. 

[Dub Narcotic]

Jordan Hamilton needs to be moved on after this season is over. He's not going to play over Giovinco and Altidore but his age, domestic status, cheap contract and good /90 numbers mean that someone else in the league would surely love to get him in their lineup. If I was him I would force the issue as much as possible.

[ironcub14]

Just got an email from Manning and co that the team is moving to downtown for 2018, with some games to be played at Lamport.

Awesome move for TFC II. Will quickly say that many Toronto CPL fans have been hoping for Lamport as a venue for a possible team, whenever that may be. A little Manning power play, I'd think.

[Gian-Luca]

TFC II lost 3-1 on the weekend to Bethlehem Steel - the TFC website claims the win was controversial due to a PK & sending off of young Dunn-Johnson who again was starting over 1st round pick Brandon Aubrey (although I guess he won't be doing that next game).

No TFC first team players played in this one - only Ben Spencer was on the bench, suggesting Morgan and Hamilton presumably have been brought back up to the senior team (not sure about Camargo who also wasn't dressed). Hundal, Johnson & Aikim Andrews started up front, the goal was scored on a PK by Mitch Taintor. Fraser, Boskovic, Telfer & Cavaluzzo also played in terms of Canucks

As for Bethlehem Steel, it sounds like Chris Nanco had an impressive game. He scored the 3rd goal for this club, assisted on the first and apparently gave the pass that led to the PK for the game winner. Although according to the USL website:

"Nanco then provided a beautiful through ball to Nanco in the second half, which led to the penalty-kick call by center official Kevin Broadley."

Which suggests that either the TFC II backline is extremely slow, or that there's an error in the match report.

 

[Rocket Robin]

August 14th, 2017 e-mail to me as I'm a TFC II season ticket holder:  

 

Dear TFC II Season Ticket Members,

I’m writing today to let you know that next season TFC II will be relocating from the Ontario Soccer Centre to downtown Toronto. The City of Vaughan and Ontario Soccer Centre have been valuable partners and supporters of the club the last three seasons and TFC would like to thank everyone for their support. I would also like to thank you, our Season Ticket Members, for your support of our Young Reds.

The venue for the 2018 season has not been finalized but we do know TFC II will be playing home games at BMO Field and Lamport Stadium and we look forward to seeing you there. For any questions regarding this move please contact Alex Adamo at Alex.Adamo@mlse.com or 416-815-5313.

Thanks again for your continued support and we hope to see you at TFC II’s next home match on Wednesday, August 30th vs. Saint Louis FC.

All For One,

Bill Manning
President

[Bison44]

At least they'll still be playing next year.  I wonder if whitecaps 2 will be?

 

[harrycoyster]

11 minutes ago, Bison44 said:

At least they'll still be playing next year.  I wonder if whitecaps 2 will be?

Jury is still out from what I hear. Whitecaps have been looking into alternatives and adopted the pro-path/college-path model from FC Dallas this season.

[Kent]

I really hope Whitecaps 2 will continue playing next season, but will find a little bit of humour in it in the context of people clamouring for the MLS2 teams to join CPL to provide some stability. Montreal lasted 2 seasons. Vancouver might only last 3.

[yothat]

why not rebrand n the thundercaps n move to CPL 

[dyslexic nam]

21 minutes ago, yothat said:

why not rebrand n the thundercaps n move to CPL 

Because CPL doesn't want MLS2 teams.

[Northvansteve]

17 hours ago, harrycoyster said:

Jury is still out from what I hear. Whitecaps have been looking into alternatives and adopted the pro-path/college-path model from FC Dallas this season.

What's the "pro-path/college-path model"?

[TRM]

42 minutes ago, Northvansteve said:

What's the "pro-path/college-path model"?

https://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2016/09/23/how-fc-dallas-became-home-best-academy-united-states

“Our approach is a total approach here,” Hunt said. “Our academy kids are in early here, they go to school here, they’re here in the afternoons or some evenings they get a chance to train with the first team. They come to our games. If they’re not going to be a professional soccer player, we make sure that college is on the radar for them. So they understand they’re in a place that genuinely cares about them and wants them to be successful, and cares about them as human beings.”

[Gian-Luca]

TFC 2 come from 2 goals down to beat Charlotte 3-2. Once again Jordan Hamilton with the winner on a great solo effort. He also played a big part on the tying goal as he caused all the danger allowing the ball to sit one foot in front of an open goal for Ben Spencer to tap in. Before people get too excited about the fact that Spencer actually scored for a TFC team for the first time ever, he still has one less goal than Ashtone Morgan on the season as he got the comeback started with a nice low drive to the left corner of the goal. Endoh also played for TFC2 from the first team. So all four did not make the trip to Montreal for tomorrow. 

Cavaluzzo made a great save late to preserve the win.

[shermanator]

Some thoughts on TFC II from their game tonight. First of all, the supporters group of youths (who I will affectionately call Inebriatti II) that were drumming and waving flags and chanting all game, I commend you. Other thoughts that I'm sure you're all super excited to read:

- Cavalluzzo's biggest strength seems to be his shot stopping and distribution. His biggest weakness is his rebound control. He's gotten more action than I expected with the II team, and I could see him being a starter in CPL.

- Morgan played left centre back in a back 3, possibly to see where else he could play on the pitch given that he's third on the depth chart at LWB. He was okay, but not great. Seemed to migrate to the LWB position out of habit. Thought he and Aubrey were poor on marking the St. Louis forward who scored. 

- Hamilton had a shot cleared off the line, as well as a great chance blocked in front of goal by Spencer, and another great chance in front of goal that he whiffed on. He does well to get in good scoring positions.

- Johnson's game reminds me of Davies somewhat, his best asset is driving at defenders. Also like Davies, he unfortunately  tries to take on too many players once in a while. Was invisible for large stretches of the game.

- Telfer is great at running up and down the left wing, and poor at everything else.

- Spencer did well to get into some good positions, but has the technical ability of a baby deer on ice when he gets the ball in the same positions. He's a mediocre USL player, nothing more. Still can't believe he has a first team deal.

- Endoh seemed the most technically gifted on the night. Did well in possession, but his set pieces were inconsistent. Biggest trend I noticed from him was when picking up the ball, he would run from defenders towards his own goal up to 40-50 yards, then pass it off or draw the foul. Needs to pass it off quicker in those instances. 

- Aubrey hardly laid a foot wrong.

[Gian-Luca]

The score of this game referred to above was 1-1, with Shaan Hundal (who came on for the aforementioned Spencer) equalizing for TFC 2 in injury time against St. Louis, assisted by Jordan Hamilton (even if not likely intentionally a pass).

[shermanator]

10 minutes ago, Gian-Luca said:

The score of this game referred to above was 1-1, with Shaan Hundal (who came on for the aforementioned Spencer) equalizing for TFC 2 in injury time against St. Louis, assisted by Jordan Hamilton (even if not likely intentionally a pass).

Bah, that's what I get for turning it off in the 88th minute.

[ironcub14]

16 hours ago, shermanator said:

Some thoughts on TFC II from their game tonight. First of all, the supporters group of youths (who I will affectionately call Inebriatti II) that were drumming and waving flags and chanting all game, I commend you. Other thoughts that I'm sure you're all super excited to read:

- Cavalluzzo's biggest strength seems to be his shot stopping and distribution. His biggest weakness is his rebound control. He's gotten more action than I expected with the II team, and I could see him being a starter in CPL.

- Morgan played left centre back in a back 3, possibly to see where else he could play on the pitch given that he's third on the depth chart at LWB. He was okay, but not great. Seemed to migrate to the LWB position out of habit. Thought he and Aubrey were poor on marking the St. Louis forward who scored. 

- Hamilton had a shot cleared off the line, as well as a great chance blocked in front of goal by Spencer, and another great chance in front of goal that he whiffed on. He does well to get in good scoring positions.

- Johnson's game reminds me of Davies somewhat, his best asset is driving at defenders. Also like Davies, he unfortunately  tries to take on too many players once in a while. Was invisible for large stretches of the game.

- Telfer is great at running up and down the left wing, and poor at everything else.

- Spencer did well to get into some good positions, but has the technical ability of a baby deer on ice when he gets the ball in the same positions. He's a mediocre USL player, nothing more. Still can't believe he has a first team deal.

- Endoh seemed the most technically gifted on the night. Did well in possession, but his set pieces were inconsistent. Biggest trend I noticed from him was when picking up the ball, he would run from defenders towards his own goal up to 40-50 yards, then pass it off or draw the foul. Needs to pass it off quicker in those instances. 

- Aubrey hardly laid a foot wrong.

Great summary.

[Rocket Robin]

Result and details of the Wednesday August 30, 2017 USL game between
Toronto FC II and Saint Louis FC played at The Soccer Centre
in Vaughan at 7:30pm.

38 min...StL Christian Volesky GOAL...StL Austin Ledbetter at 22 yards
in middle rolls ball forward and Volesky steps between two defenders
to get pass at 12 yards and at 8 yards even with right post shoots
ball over sliding goalie Angelo Cavalluzzo into top right corner
of net.

92 min...TFC II Shaan Hundal GOAL...TFC Tsubasa Endoh at 22 yards
on right just outside of box sends cross into box and ball is over
leaping TFC Jordan McCrary at 8 yards in middle but
TFC Jordan Hamilton chests ball down at 10 yards while even with
left post to center and Hundal steps over from right and
blasts 8 yard shot over waving goalie Devala Gorrick at 3 yards
and into top of net.

94 min...game ends 9:28pm.

Final Score:...Toronto FC II...1...Saint Louis FC...1...

Attendance was announced as 647 on this overcast and mild
evening (dark by the second half). This is the first home
game for TFC II since it was announced that next year the
team would be playing downtown at both BMO Field and Lamport
Stadium (the other side of the railway tracks 1000 yards away).
Also next year the tickets would be 'free' in that they are
part of the TFC MLS season ticket package. Free tickets
(by staying after TFC MLS games and a special open practice)
have already taken place this season with a best draw of 3200
but that is something like 15% of what USL Cincinnati drew
for some of their key games.

Man of the Match (who is always a TFC II player) was awarded
to defender Brandon Aubrey. I wonder if that decision was made
before Shaan Hundal came into the game at 87 minutes and scored
at 92 minutes? He took the place of Ben Spencer whom I'm sure
I wrote his number down at most twice for being involved
in a play and he was anchoring the forward line with
Jordan Hamilton.

Referee David Barrie gave out five Yellow cards tonight (three
to Saint Louis) with one at 6 minutes curbing the rough play
until an injury time dust-up when he gave one each
to StL Ivan Mirkovic and TFC Ryan Telfer for a multi-player
pushing match.

Both goalies Angelo Cavalluzzo and Devala Gorrick played well
tonight with Gorrick especially helped by his defence clearing
countless crosses sent into the box by Ryan Telfer,
Jordan McCrary, and Tsubasa Endoh—until that 92 minute hiccup.

TFC (MLS) vets defender/winger Ashtone Morgan (100+ MLS games),
second year winger Tsubasa Endoh, and forward Jordan Hamilton
are settling in fine with the USL team. I don't what will happen
to them next season with the MLS club finding a player from
Liechtenstein to jump right into the starting eleven.

A tie result is an identical script to TFC's last home game
against Charleston Independence exactly three Wednesday's ago
when Jordan Hamilton scored an injury time tieing goal down
at BMO Field. Then on Saturday night they came back from 2-0
down in Charleston to win 3-2 scoring three goals against
a ten man team but between that they lost two more road games.

I was wondering who TFC II would start in net. Cavalluzzo was
a good choice but Mark Pais who has played about half their
games was goalie for Saint Louis last season so I thought he'd
be an insider for the spot tonight.  I received a TFC tweet
earlier today that Clint Irwin has been 'loaned' to TFC II
for the time (TFC have a week off from their MLS schedule
and hasn't played a game for quite awhile). Actually
Gianluca Catalano was the backup goalie tonight.

TFC (MLS) player Justin Morrow was under a canopy near the
entrance signing autographs on picture postcards before the
game. I was one of the first there and said "You're still
left handed!" as I'd seen him at a TFC BBQ a few years ago.
I said I saw him at the Gold Cup (for the USA) and said it's
too bad he wasn't named for this week's World Cup Qualifiers.
He had a three year gap (2014 and 2017) between call ups.

Other celebs were first team goalie Alex Bono who was on the
field holding a dog in his arm talking to Saint Louis defender
Wesley Charpie at halftime. Charpie played for TFC II last
season. He was an unused sub at that time but came
in at 58 minutes. Some fans behind me were talking about
League 1 Ontario and wanting to get out to a game but
"...I wish there was a team in Scarborough". I cut in and gave
him two choices and named the stadium. Conveniently Oscar Cordon
(L1O Woodbridge Strikers/ex TFC) walked by and I pointed him
out also showing them where Strikers played--400 yards
southwest of here.

After the game the TFC II players came over to the fence
to chat with the crowd (one of my favourite things about
their games here). I asked teenage defender Julian Dunn-Johnson
who didn't get in the game tonight what name he wanted
me to use when I write about him. "Dunn-Johnson" is his
choice although the game program has him as "Dunn" maybe not
to confuse him with Malik Johnson a teenage midfielder.
Both started out on L1O Toronto FC III at the beginning
of this season. I said I hoped he got his place back which
he lost after a Red card hand ball call two games ago.
Maybe Brandon Aubrey will overdue it on the espresso coffee
products that he won tonight as man of the match...Ben Spencer
won them last their last road game and sleep walked through
tonight's match.

Alex Adamo, my TFC II ticket rep, came around the crowd
at halftime giving out red/yellow novelty cards which double
as reminders for the web site for a draw for a KIA car.
I said that I find it such a surprise that the winner will
own the car while the MLS team the lucky one will win
a one year lease on the car. Alex admitted that the
TFC II winner will also just win a one year lease (option
to buy after that). I've never heard that fact in the promos.
I've been using that prize story all year while pumping
up the team.

In other news TFC owners MLSE just signed a new contract
to rename the Air Canada Centre 'The Scotiabank Arena' for
the next forty years for 800 million dollars! Meanwhile
my Scotiabank branch was only two blocks away closed last
year and now I can go twelve blocks away plus they raised
their service charges. Now I see how they're be spending
the money they're saving.

The result improves TFC II's record to 5 wins, 14 losses,
7 ties for 22 points which still leaves them fifteenth (last)
in the Eastern Conference.

Saint Louis improves to 8 wins, 11 losses, 6 ties for 30 points
and are eleventh in the East. Their playoff chances dropped
by 5.1% to 22.9%. They move on to play Ottawa Fury this weekend.
TFC II chances are rated less than 0.0% and fell last night.

Next home game for TFC II is this Saturday--September 2
at 7:30pm here against Rochester Rhinos. I expect to miss
my first home game of the season as I have just been press
accredited earlier today for the Canada vs Jamaica national
teams friendly at BMO at exactly the same time.

Rocket Robin
robing@eol.ca
twitter @RocketRobin01
 

[Rocket Robin]

Result and details of the Saturday September 9, 2007 USL game
between Toronto FC II and New York Red Bulls II played
at BMO Stadium in Toronto at 8:00pm.

34 min...TFC Jay Chapman GOAL...TFC Brian James at TFC 45 yard
line in middle passes ball forward and left to TFC Ben Spencer
who rolls ball from NYRB 40 yard line on left forward
to TFC Jordan Hamilton who charges forward from 30 yards on left
and sends low bouncing cross from 22 yards just outside top
corner of box. Chapman running forward to 7 yards even with
right post beats charging goalie Evan Louro and rolls ball
under him to left side of net.

41 min...TFC Lars Eckenrode pulls down Florian Valot in box
and referee Pierre-Luc Lauziere calls for a Penalty kick.

42 min...NYRB Stefano Bonomo GOAL...Bonomo rolls Penalty kick
into right corner of net beyond diving goalie Angelo Cavalluzzo.

44 min...TFC Lars Eckenrode pulls down NYRB Vincent Bezecourt
who had deked through two players on edge of TFC box to get
to 15 yards. The referee gives Eckenrode a Yellow card and
awards NYRB a Penalty kick.

47 min...NYRB Stefano Bonomo GOAL...Bonomo rolls Penalty kick
into right corner of net beyond diving goalie.

Final Score:...Toronto FC II...1...New York Red Bulls...2...

Attendance was listed as 3582 on the USL web site which seems
very generous—certainly not hanging on to a great per cent
of the sellout 29050 who had just finished watching the MLS
Toronto FC beat San Jose Earthquake 4-0 an hour before.
Hey people! Stay! Free game! I thought the USL game had less
than that even with fans being moved to sit on the East side
stands to be better supervised with less staff. About a third
of that crowd left before the game was over. Let's say the
fans who came dressed in t-shirts and short didn't stay around
for this game with it now dark and the temperature falling.
Still the numbers are an improvement on the Ontario Soccer
Centre crowds which are usually well under 1000.

This the first TFC II game played at BMO Field since the team
announced that next season TFC will include free USL season
tickets for their MLS season ticket holders. They will also
move their games to BMO Field and Lamport Stadium in downtown
Toronto. This is so to help build the attendance as the USL
in 2019 will split into two divisions and teams that don't
meet certain standards (attendance and stadium facilities
are some of the details) will be placed in the lower division.
The lower division will not have the more competitive teams
and that would not be as much benefit to MLS teams that want
to keep their players sharp for transfer back up to their
main team.

The team sponsors are the same as up at the OSC so prizes
were provided by such companies as Anthony's Espresso
Coffee Supplies. The scoreboard stadium here is a big
improvement over the one at OSC.

Man of the Match was Jay Chapman who was an easy choice
as he scored their only goal. He won the coffee tonight!
Just one week ago he came in as a substitute for the
Canadian National team against Jamaica at this same stadium.
Tonight he couldn't make the main MLS team bench. That's
become not that unusual as the team once again had
no Canadian starters. Jonathan Osorio did sub in at
halftime for the MLS team and scored a goal.
Tosaint Ricketts got in at 64 minutes.

NYRB looked the better team tonight but it was two
Penalty kick goals within five minutes that won it
for them. Stefano Bonomo placed both in the bottom
right corner just out of the reach of the diving
goalie Angelo Cavalluzo.

Julian Dunn-Johnson (17 year old Canadian) and
Brandon Aubrey both played defence at the same time
for TFC. It's usually been an either/or situation.
It looked like it was sometimes-captain Mitchell Taintor
who was the odd man out tonight. Next game I could see
Lars Eckenrode being benched. He gave up the two
Penalty kicks. He picked up a Yellow card on the
second incident and was subbed off at halftime for
Brandon Onkony. (midfielder Brian James was captain
tonight). Jordan McCrary was the other defender although
he has the freedom to run up the wing so was often
well upfield.

I wondered why Shaan Hundal didn't get into the game
tonight? He warmed up but didn't replace Ben Spencer
who stayed the whole 90 minutes. Hundal has been known
for past late game heroics and is a good pairing with
Jordan Hamilton. TFC didn't even make a third substitution!

Referee Pierre-Luc Lauziere gave out two Yellow cards
to each team. I only found out from the USL website
that he gave TFC's Jordan Hamilton a Red card after
the game must have ended for 'foul and abusive language'.
Hamilton may still have been steamed because he couldn't
win a Penalty kick at 68 minutes. Well there goes
my idea about a Hamilton-Hundal pairing at least for
the next game!

NYRB never looked completely comfortable as they
couldn't score a second half insurance goal. Their
best chance was at 83 minutes when they had
Stefano Bonomo cross from 20 yards on the right
and Douglas Martinez leapt at 10 yards in the middle
and headed the ball over the flying goalie and off the
underside of the bar on the right side. The ball bounced
and Florian Valot headed from 7 yards on the right
that the goalie caught just under the bar. Now TFC
had some last gasp efforts with Ryan Telfer centering
a cross from the right at 86 minutes and the sliding
Sergio Camargo rolled a weak 12 yarder that the goalie
smothered. A minute later Telfer had a low 18 yard
shot from the left through the defenders and the goalie
stopped that. Injury time had Camargo take a 45 yard
freekick from the left that was partially cleared
and Brian James blasted a 40 yard rebound through
players up the middle but the ball flew wide left.

NYRB II won the USL Championship last season and
were one of the only MLS based teams to make the
playoffs. This year they're only sixth in the East
and will have to play all of their playoff games
(one-game-knockout format) on the road. Podcasts I've
heard mention the big club has sold and traded away
some of their USL players. The USL site said they
haven't lost since the beginning of August but they
hadn't won on the road since June 3 and this was
only their second road win of the season.

At least with these late games the crowd had thinned
and I got a seat on the streetcar.

TFC II were officially knocked out of the playoffs
the middle of this week without playing as a team
ahead of them won in a midweek game. They had
something like a six zeroes point one percent chance
of making the post season after losing to Rochester
last week. At least most of their losses have been
by only one goal. Their defence has improved from
last year but they don't score enough.

TFC II's record now stands at 5 wins, 16 losses,
7 ties for 22 points and are fifteenth (last)
in the Eastern Conference.

NYRB II improves to 11 wins, 11 losses, 5 ties
for 38 points and are sixth in the East.

Rocket Robin
robing@eol.ca
twitter @RocketRobin01