June 26, 2024...MLS NEXT Pro...Toronto FC II vs Inter Miami CF II game report (by Rocket Robin)
Result and details of the Wednesday June 26, 2024 MLS NEXT Pro game between Toronto FC II and Inter Miami CF IIFinal Score:......Toronto FC II.......2......Inter Miami CF II........1.......
Attendance started off slow but peaked at about 180 at halftime. We had a heavy downpour two hours before game time plus warnings all day that we were going to get thunderstorms and that probably played a factor in keeping the crowd size down as the thunderstorms that happened last Wednesday and over the weekend did come true. From about 5:30pm onwards nothing fell and the weather was quite moderate. The usual rush hour traffic, the fact this was another weeknight game, and in the last week that not only is the Euro Championship on during the morning and afternoon but now the COPA has started and those games are played opposite tonight's gametime. TFC used quite a different front line of Dekwon Barrow, with Matthew Catavolo, Hassan Ayari, and defender Nate Edwards often up front on rushes down the wings. Midfielder Mark Fisher was wearing the captain's armband tonight. The usual captain Adam Pearlman was watching in street clothes. He looked healthy but I suspect he was not playing because of Yellow card accumulation. Other missing players I can't account for were Jesus Batiz, Lazar Stefanovic, Julian Altobelli, and Charlie Sharp. Could be they are getting looks with the MLS team as it lost their last three games just after earning two ties? Abraham Rodriguez was listed as the back up goalie. The team sent out a 'Happy Birthday' tweet just a days ago to regular back up Shafique Wilson. The only player that I know won't be back is defender Antony Curic who reached an agreement to leave the team about a week ago...other posters say he may try his chances in catching on to a team in Croatia as he is of Croatian heritage. (He was born in Toronto). TFC II had lost three in a row so a shakeup may be another reason. The game turned around with the own goal near the start of the second half. Nate Edwards gave TFC the lead four minutes later on a breakaway with a run that reminded me of the Jonathan David goal we saw Canada score in their win last night at the COPA against Peru. All that was missing was him banking it in off the post but with TFC's luck it would have deflected wide. After that it looked more likely that TFC would extend its lead rather than left Miami score the equalizer. 90 minutes had Theo Rigopoulos dribble down the right to almost the end line then send in a low cross along the 2 yard line and a charging Mark Fisher shot wide left of the post or TFC wouldn't have had to sweat the four minutes of added time. I thought tonight's performances by Hassan Ayari and Charlie Staniland (both signed earlier this season from English club Sheffield United) were their best this season (home games are all I see). Maybe Jesus Batiz and Julian Altobelli won't be the automatic cornerkick and freekick takers after watching Ayari tonight. Referee Melvin Christopher gave out five YELLOW cards (four to TFC) but mostly let the game play on. Miami drew the first card at 28 yards for Israel Boatwright kicking the ball away after they were called offside. TFC Nate Edwards drew the next with a dive along the end line trying to draw a Penalty kick then head coach Gianni Cimini got one on the same play for complaining about the call. Charlie Staniland got one at 78 minutes for shirt grabbing preventing a break out near the center line and Theo Rigopoulos at 82 for a check on a Miami rush trying to squeeze up the sideline. Reminded me of the Women's Canada-Mexico match where Jordyn Huitema was checked but this Miami player landed three yards out of bounds. This was Christopher's first game refereeing at the MLS NEXT Pro level. I thought he did just fine. It was also the first NEXT Pro assignment for referee's assistant Amanda Kwan. Assessor Amato DeLuca answered me before the game that NEXT Pro assignments are rated higher than CPL (for officials) because they can lead to assignments in MLS. TFC II's record improves to 5 wins, 2 ties, 5 losses, 0 shoot-out-win bonus points for 17 points. There were two other games in the Eastern Conference but they were both over by the time I got home. TFC moves up one spot to eleventh in the fifteen team conference. Eighth place is the cut off line for post season play currently at 21 points. They have a one, two, or three game advantage over the teams they are chasing because of some early season away games being rescheduled. Inter Miami II's record falls to 5 wins, 3 ties, 6 losses, 0 shoot-out-win bonus points for 18 points and they stay in tenth. (See they are one of the teams that TFC has two games in hand). TFC has a weekend home game against Philadelphia Union II on Sunday at 3:00pm. The Union are currently the first place team in the East. Co-tenants York United FC are out of town, playing Thursday night so the grounds crew don't have to change the signboards this weekend. Rocket Robin.
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