June 30, 2024...MLS NEXT Pro...Toronto FC II vs Philadelphia Union II game report (by Rocket Robin)
Result and details of the Sunday June 30, 2024 MLS NEXT Pro game between Toronto FC II and Philadelphia Union IIFinal Score:......Toronto FC II.....0.......Philadelphia Union II........4.........
Attendance started off slow but reached almost 200 by halftime. There were many dozen travelling Union II fans who cheered every chance the visitors had. It was overcast and it looked like we'd get more rain than we already had and in fact a misty rain fell just before the warm ups that would help kill the walk up crowd. Also the Euros have moved in to their final 16 round so England v Slovakia which went into extra time and Spain v Georgia would keep some fans at home. The PA system played the ice cream truck music and an announcement was made that it was here at the north gate but no truck was present the entire game. This just proves the themes are 'canned'. It makes sense as any truck could make X-times the money downtown this afternoon at the Pride parade. The third team that played a part in this game was the strong, gusty wind from the north that TFC ran into in the first half before the Union took it on for the second when it got even stronger. Goal punts in the air would die and fall back to earth well before the center line and those sent with the wind would bounce forward over the end line for goal kicks. I was thinking that the Union better score early (and did they ever!) as TFC would have the winds at their backs for the second half but they never calibrated its strength and kept bouncing balls over the end line. Only time the wind helped TFC was in the second half as it kept Philadelphia from scoring any more as they emptied their bench starting with a triple change at 67 minutes. Referee Mazzen Black from Alberta gave out only three Yellow cards—one to TFC with Union's two for time wasting and dissent in a game that couldn't be slowed down with fouls. League stats had TFC holding a wide edge in passing but that was caused by a lot of passing around outside the Union 30 yard line as they tried to break through the Union defence. Mike Sheridan earned the shutout for the Union with all four saves (league stats) made from the 75 minute mark onward. Defenders Gavin Wetzel, Neil Pierre, Olwethu Makhanya, and Francis Westfield blocked almost everything before that. I was warned to watch Cavan Sullivan for the Union from the autograph seeking guys. He's only 14 years old and has been signed to Manchester City but he will be staying with the Union until he's 18 (I assume he's caught up in the labour laws instigated to ensure young African born players are no longer exploited by European clubs). He was one of the 67 minute subs. He had a few good dribbles but no shots on net. I was surprised how many usual TFC II guys were missing today. Maybe it was because TFC had a game here on Wednesday night with a 2-1 win over Inter Miami CF II. Biggest surprise was reading that Markus Cimermancic signed a short term contract to play for the MLS team. That put him in Atlanta last night but he didn't get into the game. OK but today he was brought in at halftime to play for TFC II. There were a half dozen faces of the usual TFC II players in the stands that me and the autograph seekers recognized. Oh that Atlanta game didn't go well. I am a huge backer of Luka Gavran the main goalie for TFC II until signing with TFC for this season but he was tricked on a last minute clearance by having a forgotten Atlanta player behind him poke the ball away and score into the open net to win the game. That will be on every sports blooper reel show for the next year. The visiting team looked good with multi-pass plays on rushes, nutmegs and backheelers, and follow throughs and quick transitions. I looked up before the game started that this was the first place team. It was a surprise that their MLS team is actually four points behind Toronto FC as both are in middle of the pack in the race for the final playoff spots. TFC II started their season with a 2-1 loss against them in Chester Pennsylvania. This team will be back here on August 16th. Strange they'd have a third meeting when there are some teams piled into the Eastern Conference who they only play once (especially from the southern US states). This was the only afternoon game of the day but there are many others tonight. The result for Toronto drops their record to 5 wins, 2 ties, 6 losses (0 shoot-out points) for 17 points and eleventh place although they could drop further from the eighth place playoff line—21 points at the start of today. Union II stay in first place improving to 9 wins, 3 ties, 3 losses (2 shoot-out points) for 32 points and lead the Eastern Conference by 4 points at this time. TFC II now travel to Columbus next Sunday and then play a rescheduled game on Wednesday July 10th in Chicago. Their next home game is Sunday July 14th at 3:00pm against FC Cincinnati 2 who are currently the second best team in the Eastern Conference (oh-oh!). Rocket Robin.
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