July 14, 2024 MLS NEXT Pro...Toronto FC II vs FC Cincinnati 2 game report (by Rocket Robin)
Result and details of the Sunday July 14, 2024 MLS NEXT Pro game between Toronto FC II and FC Cincinnati 2Final Score:......Toronto FC II.......1........FC Cincinnati 2.........2..........
Attendance grew to about 70 by halftime. This is an all time low since the start of the MLS NEXT Pro era in 2022. Reasons are probably a combination of the England vs Spain Euro Final going on at the same time as this game; that people were recovering from last night's third place Canada vs Uruguay Copa game that was settled on Penalty kicks or anticipating the Argentina vs Colombia final later tonight. I'd say the major reason was the thunderstorm that was scheduled for gametime. Yep! That delayed a 3:00pm kickoff until 3:42pm. The TFC goalie's had just come out for warm ups at about 2:00pm and it was just starting to rain but they retreated when a downpour started and thunder could be heard. The ice cream truck that appeared to make one sale to a security official beat a retreat to do business elsewhere but at least the PA system showed they could adlib by playing Rihanna's 'Umbrella' song and omit the ice cream truck music and ad this week. (He wasn't here at all the last game when his music played). It had stopped raining before the game started and the sun even came out by the 70 minute mark. The rain cooled the temperature and humidity from yesterday and no water breaks needed to be scheduled. Referee Myriam Marcotte (leading an all female crew) gave out seven Yellow cards (five to TFC including a Yellow to a member of the coaching staff) and one Red card to a different member of the TFC coaching staff. She wasn't falling for any lame falls and shouts for Penalty kicks or handballs for any ball played above the knees. I was impressed by the play of TFC midfielder Hassan Ayari today as he had some good runs and set up some passes on a platter for teammates to have shots at the net. I always have an answer available if anyone asks me if there's any player I think can move up to the MLS team. The last two years it was goalkeeper Luke Gavran and this year I'll pick Ayari. He's US born, age 21 and has played for Tunisia internationally and was signed along with Charlie Staniland from England's Sheffield United earlier this season. Today he appeared to take the cornerkicks from the left side while Jesus Batiz took them from the right. I was already penciling him in as a Penalty kick taker but he was subbed off at 85 minutes with the game still tied. Paul Walters played brilliantly for the visitors. He made some point blank saves, NEXT Pro stats say 8 shots on target, with at least two that looked like they went off his face. He is on an MLS contract. I'd give about 8 shots by TFC that were off target or so it seemed. TFC continues to have the worst luck. Near the end of the subs warming up between halfs, new roster addition Pablo Patrick-Galvez went down injured and needed help from the trainer to leave the field. He looked like he was called up from the TFC Academy and is age 17. Hard luck as an Instragam search revealed he'd just been selected for the MLS NEXT All-Star Game on July 24th in Columbus. With the league expanding again in Season 3, it's become less often that you'd host any team a second time in the regular season. Cincinnati was here on April 14th for TFC's home opener and TFC won that game 2-1. By the time I got home after the delay I waited for the Copa final to start (which was also delayed but their reason was a ticketing problem with non-ticketed persons trying to crash the gates into the stadium) all the Eastern Conference games were over. The loss drops Toronto FC II's record to 5 wins, 8 losses, 3 ties, 0 shoot-out-win bonus points for 18 points. That's twelfth place of the fifteen teams in the East. The playoff line held by the eighth place team is now 26 points. TFC have only scored 19 goals in their 18 games played so scoring is their major problem. FCC's record improves to 11 wins, 4 losses, 2 ties, 0 s-o-w points for 35 points. That is good for second place. They've only allowed 19 goals against in 17 games. TFC were beaten their last home game two weeks ago by first place Philadelphia Union II. Last weekend they travelled to Columbus and earned one point for a shootout loss. One Wednesday they finally made up a rescheduled game in Chicago losing 2-0. So Toronto FC II doesn't play next weekend. Their next game is a home game on Sunday July 28th at 3:00pm against New York Red Bulls II who as of right now, hold that final eighth place playoff spot. Rocket Robin.
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