April 18, 2025...MLS NEXT Pro Toronto FC II vs Carolina Core FC

I will be posting a more detailed report with lineups, team logos, pictures, and more of a play by play in the next few days.

Result and details of the Friday April 18, 2025 MLS NEXT Pro game between Toronto FC II and Carolina Core FC
played at York Lions Stadium in North York at 7:00pm.

30 min...Core Glory Nzingo GOAL...Nzingo receives pass from CC Facundo Canete and shoots 25 yarder that deflects
off TFC Mark Fisher at 20 yards and pops over leaping goalie Shafique Wilson at 6 yards to land in left side of net.

32 min...TFC Patrick McDonald GOAL...TFC Michael Sullivan chips short pass from 30 yards over defenders that
TFC Hassane Ayari recovers and rolls into box from left end line. TFC Dekwon Barrow recovers in middle and rolls 6 yard
shot off right post. McDonald rushing forward recovers rebound and taps 4 yarder into empty right side of net as goalie
Alex Sutton was marooned on left side of goal.

Regulation time ends with a 1-1 score which earns both teams 1 point but a bonus point is available to whoever wins
in Penalty kicks.

Penalty kicks:
1. Core Jacob Evans GOAL...shot high in middle over diving goalie.
1. TFC Hassan Ayari blasts shot well over net with goalie crumpling to middle.
2. Core Alex Sutton GOAL...shoots middle high to left side over goalie. (Sutton is the Core goalie).
2. TFC Ythallo GOAL...stutter steps and rolls ball to left side as goalie steps right.
3. Core Drake Hadeed GOAL...blasts roller to left under diving goalie. (Hadeed was only subbed into game at 91 minutes).
3. TFC Dekwon Barrow...stutter steps and shoots to right and flying goalie bats it away.
4. Core Juan Pablo Rodriguez GOAL...stutter step and hits inside of right post and ball deflects over to left side of net
behind goalie who had dived left.

Final Score:....Toronto FC II.....1......Carolina Core FC.......1.......
Carolina wins bonus point in Penalty kicks 4-1.

Attendance was about 180 on this surprisingly warm evening compared to the cold we've been getting most nights this month (and some days haven't been much better with snow last Thursday). The game ended and as I walked to the parking lot I could see lightning in the distance which would have halted the game if it had been closer and started earlier. A few drops of rain started falling at 80 minutes but it wasn't too noticeable until the game ended.

This was Good Friday so folks may have found other things to do. It was too bad as this was Toronto's first home game of the season after compiling a very respectable 2 wins, 2 losses record to start the season. TFC II plays here next Friday night at 7:00pm against Chicago Fire FC II.

Toronto had only five subs for this game and none of them were for a back up goalie. Usual number one, Adisa De Rosario who is actually on an MLS contract has made the trip with the main team to be a back up this weekend in Salt Lake City. Defender Reid Fisher had to watch from the stands as he was Red carded in the team's win last week against Inter Miami CF II. A lot of the players they could have called up from their Academy were away during the week down in Bradenton Florida playing multiple 70 minute games each day in the Generation Adidas Cup.

Carolina Core are an independent team and don't have to worry about supplying any MLS team with players so they must have looked forward to an undermanned Toronto.

Shafique Wilson played just his first game of the year (only playing two last season) but at times kept TFC from falling behind with a few high leaps for crosses into the box and dives and good saves. There should be a lot more opportunities for game time this season.

Toronto's problem is tonight they scored just their third goal in five games and the two wins were by 1-0 scores. That puts a lot of pressure on the defence if they know that allowing a goal is usually a way to a bad result.

Referee Fabrizio Stasolla gave out no cards tonight. That was fair with just a few shouts from the bench which he ignored.

This was the only game tonight in the league to start the weekend.

Toronto's record improves to 2 wins, 1 tie, 2 losses for 7 points. That's good for now for a five way tie for sixth place. Carolina improves to 1 win, 2 ties, 2 losses plus 2 bonus points for winning both their shootout results to catch TFC for 7 points. Expect other teams to pull ahead with their games later this weekend.

These teams have only met once before. That was last season when Jesus Batiz scored at 90 minutes 20 seconds to help TFC win 2-1 at this stadium. The Core play in the South East Division while Toronto is in the North East. The tables are combined as the Eastern Conference. This means they play some teams three times and some just once. I would have expected they would have played this season in High Point, North Carolina...well maybe next year.

I saw two of my favourite TFC II players in a game here last weekend in a CPL game. Forward Julian Altobell after four seasons moved on (or back) to York United FC. Defender Adam Pearlman was loaned for the season to HFX Wanderers FC.

Admission is only $10.00 for adults, $5.00 for York University students, free for children 10 and under and free for season ticket holders. Concession stands are not open but there is no restriction on bringing in your own food. Tonight there was no ice cream truck parked outside the gate. It might have been the holiday weekend or maybe there wasn't enough business last year.

This was my last full day to be one of the few hundred people who picked up their AFC Toronto scarf and be able to strut around town as tomorrow there will be thousands (14K plus) at their debut game in the new women's Northern Super League being held at BMO Field. After that their remaining home games will be here at York Lions Stadium. The CPL team York United FC also play their home games here which will make some weekends quite busy.

Rocket Robin
robin.glover.1958@gmail.com

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