July 31, 2016 USL Toronto FC II--Bethlehem Steel FC vs Toronto FC II game review (from uslsoccer.com)
Toronto Withstands Steel FC in Wild Affair 07/31/2016, 6:00pm EDT By CHARLIE CORR - charlie.corr@uslsoccer.com Hundal brace, Uccello tally lead TFC II to road victory against Bethlehem BETHLEHEM, Pa. – Toronto FC II’s Shaan Hundal tallied twice as his side earned a 3-2 road victory against Bethlehem Steel FC on Sunday at Goodman Stadium. Hundal found the back of the net once in each half, while Luca Uccello also had a big match for Toronto with the game-winning goal, an assist and goal-line clearance. Bethlehem’s Nick Bibbs tallied early in the second half for his first goal of the season as Ryan Richter, while Richter also scored off of his own penalty kick rebound in the final 10 minutes. Toronto played the remaining minutes down a man as Wesley Charpie was sent off in the 80th minute, as well as Head Coach Jason Bent, shortly after a penalty kick was awarded to Bethlehem. With the win, Toronto sweeps the season series, having earned a 3-2 victory against Bethlehem on July 6 at the Ontario Soccer Centre. TFC II improves to 6-12-5 (23 points) overall and 3-8-2 on the road. Toronto has already matched the club’s win total and point total from a year ago. TFC II went 6-17-5 for 23 points during the 28-game regular season in 2015. Bethlehem falls to 6-8-7 (25 points) overall and 4-4-3 at home. Steel FC is 2-2-1 on its current six-game home stand, which wraps up next Sunday against the Charlotte Independence. Scoring: 17’ – TOR – Shaan Hundal (Mitchell Taintor) 48’ – BST – Nick Bibbs (Ryan Richter) 59’ – TOR – Shaan Hundal (Luca Uccello) 78’ – TOR – Luca Uccello (Raheem Edwards) 81’ – BST – Ryan Richter Three Things That Mattered: •1. Toronto has shown it has the potential for multiple scoring options to step up in the moment. On Sunday, it was speedy 17-year-old forward Shaan Hundal. His second tally gave Toronto a 2-1 lead in the 59th minute as Luca Uccello provided a cheeky chipped cross from the right side and Hundal finished with the header, sneaking it inside the near right post. Hundal also opened the scoring in the 17th minute. Mitchell Taintor intercepted the ball from Toronto, stepping up with an alert header to pave the way for Hundal, who sprung forward with a couple steps on the Bethlehem defense and then fired low past Steel FC goalkeeper Samir Badr for a 1-0 lead. Hundal now has five goals on the season, second on the club behind only Raheem Edwards’ six tallies. •2. Toronto utilized some crafty footwork on the left flank to set up its third goal as Edwards crossed in for Luca Uccello to take a 3-1 lead in the 78th minute. The goal appeared to be more than enough of a cushion at the time, but with Bethlehem’s push down the stretch, proved to be an integral moment as it was ultimately the winner. Uccello had a big match, also setting up Hundal’s second goal while making a clutch goal-line clearance in first-half stoppage time to turn away a Cory Burke shot. •3. After coming so close to netting a goal in the opening half, Bethlehem was eager to put one away early in the second half and did so on a set piece chance from the left side. Captain Ryan Richter put in a perfect right-footed ball around the edge of the six as Nick Bibbs lost his defender. Bibbs lunged to his left and redirected into the right of the frame for his first goal of the year in the 48th minute to tie the score at 1-1. It was Richter’s second assist of the season. Bethlehem would later find a second goal off the boot of Richter, though it didn’t come easy. Toronto goalkeeper Angelo Cavalluzzo anticipated correctly with a diving stop on Richter’s PK attempt, but the rebound popped back out to Richter and he fired a top-shelf rebound to cut TFC II’s lead to 3-2. USLSoccer.com Man of the Match: Shaan Hundal, Toronto FC II – Hundal was clinical in the offensive third with a pair of goals to lead the way for Toronto. Upcoming Games: Bethlehem Steel FC vs. Charlotte Independence – Aug. 7, 4 p.m. ET, Goodman Stadium Toronto FC II at Orlando City B – Aug. 6, Titan Soccer Complex
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