August 18, 2024 – MLS NEXT Pro (MLS NEXT Pro)
Toronto FC II News Release
Toronto FC II (7W-9L-4T, 25 points) defeated the visiting Philadelphia Union II (12W-6L-3T, 41 points), by a 4-2 scoreline in a six-goal thriller at York Lions Stadium on a wet Sunday afternoon.
TFC II Head Coach Gianni Cimini made three changes from last weekend’s starting eleven that took on Chattanooga FC in Tennessee with Adam Pearlman, Julian Altobelli and Charlie Sharp replacing Andrei Dumitru, Hassan Ayari and Matthew Catavolo.
Toronto FC II Head Coach Gianni Cimini made three changes from the side that started on the road against Atlanta United 2 last weekend with Abraham Rodriguez, Richard Chukwu and Theo Rigopoulos coming in for Adisa De Rosario, Marko Stojadinovic and Nathaniel Edwards.
Following a 50-minute match delay due to lightning in the area, TFC II raced into a two-goal lead after an electric start within the opening quarter of the match at York Lions Stadium.
The hosts opened the scoring when Honduran winger Jesús Batiz played a neat give-and-go with Richard Chukwu down Toronto’s left flank before firing past Mike Sheridan in Philadelphia’s goal. The 13th minute effort marked Batiz’s 12th goal for the Young Reds and TFC Academy product Richard Chukwu’s first professional assist for TFC II.
The Young Reds doubled their advantage nine minutes later when Brazilian defender Ythallo Rodrigues de Olivera rose highest to head home from Julian Altobelli’s corner for his first TFC II goal.
The visitors then responded with two quick-fire goals to begin the second half to level it at two apiece. Kellan LeBlanc first converted Jamir Berdecio’s cross in the 49th minute before scoring his second from Markus Anderson’s pass in the 57th minute.
Two minutes later, the Young Reds were awarded a penalty-kick when Julian Altobelli was brought down in the box by Philadelphia goalkeeper Mike Sheridan. Captain Julian Altobelli stepped up himself to send Sheridan the wrong way and convert the 60th minute spot-kick, marking TFC II’s first penalty goal of the 2024 MLS NEXT Pro season.
Moments after entering the action as a 74th minute substitute, Tunisian attacker Hassan Ayari scored his side’s fourth and final goal of the afternoon, showcasing silky footwork to find the net from Charlie Sharp’s pass in the 76th minute.
Reduced to 10 men in stoppage time following Nathaniel Edwards’ second yellow card, the Young Reds saw out the closing stages of the rain-filled affair, ultimately emerging as 4-2…
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