July 21, 2017 USL Toronto FC II--New York Red Bulls II vs Toronto FC II match recap (from uslsoccer.com)
Bezecourt, NYRBII Hold Off Toronto By USLSoccer.com Staff, 07/21/17, 9:15PM EDT First half strike the difference as New York ends slide HARRISON, N.J. – A resurgent first half showing helped guide hosts New York Red Bulls II past Toronto FC II 1-0 on Friday at MSU Soccer Park. The attacking pair of Vincent Bezecourt and Junior Flemmings combined for the lone goal of the match in the 27th minute as NYRBII halted a three-game skid, improving to 7-10-3 overall and 6-6-0 at home in the process. A sprawling effort from Ricardo John in the 89th minute nearly stole a point for visiting TFCII, who entered the match looking to secure its first pair of back-to-back wins since Week 16 of the 2016 campaign following a 1-0 win over Ottawa Fury FC in its previous outing. Now winless in five all-time meetings between the two squads (0-4-1), Toronto falls to 3-10-5 overall and 1-7-2 on the road in 2017. Scoring: 27’ – NY – Vincent Bezecourt (Junior Flemmings) •#NYvTOR: Full Match and Opta Box Score Three Things That Matter: •1. Bezecourt shone as the engine behind a revitalized New York attack that outshot Toronto, 14-9, overall and finished with seven shots on target to just two for the visitors. The 24-year-old Frenchman ignited the NYRBII pressure with a pinpoint left-footed cross in the 22nd minute that found the head of Junior Flemmings who turned it just over the bar. One minute later, Bezecourt unleashed a dipping, long-range effort that demanded a highlight stop from TFCII keeper Mark Pais but the reprieve was short-lived as in the 27th minute, it was Flemmings who played Bezecourt in on goal where he slid his effort into the bottom corner. The goal was the sixth of the season for the standout midfielder who entered the night with a league-high eight assists. With the tally, he joins Sebastian Velasquez of Real Monarchs SLC as the only players with at least six goals and six assists to this point in the year. •2. The first half strike enabled Red Bulls II to play from in front, allowing John Wolyniec’s side to impose its trademark high-pressing style throughout the opening period. Toronto FC II pushed back in the second half but struggled to generate quality opportunities of its own, going nearly an hour without forcing New York keeper Rafael Diaz into action after a dribbler off the foot of Aidan Daniels in the 17th minute marked the first shot on target for either side. The early advantage was a was a welcome shift in the script after New York had played from behind for a total of 212 minutes in a three-game losing streak that preceded Friday night’s victory. With the win, NYRBII improved to 6-2-1 when opening the scoring this season. •3. Precariously back in playoff position – if only just for one night – the defending USL champions will turn their attention to a rigorous four-game stretch that could define the 2017 campaign. Next up for Red Bulls II is a trip to take on a Louisville City FC side that was unbeaten in six home appearances prior to last week’s defeat at the hands of FC Cincinnati. A clash with in-state nemesis Rochester Rhinos (August 5) is followed by a road date with the Eastern Conference-leading Charleston Battery (August 12) and the challenging swing is punctuated by a visit from Cincinnati on August 19. If New York is going to earn the right to defend their crown, they’ll need to find a way to reverse a trend that has seen them post a 1-5-1 mark against the teams that sit in the top seven of the Eastern Conference standings heading into Saturday. USLSoccer.com Man of the Match Vincent Bezecourt, New York Red Bulls II – Bezecourt’s dynamism helped the hosts set the tone and his calm finish proved to be the difference in a performance that NYRBII will hope serves as a preview of what’s to come down the stretch Upcoming Games: New York Red Bulls II at Louisville City FC – July 29, 7:30 p.m. ET, Louisville Slugger Field Toronto FC II at Rochester Rhinos – July 26, 7:05 p.m. ET, Capelli Sport Stadium
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