September 11, 2016 USL Toronto FC II--Toronto FC II vs. Orlando CIty B review (from uslsoccer.com)
Toronto Rallies to Victory Past Orlando 09/11/2016, 9:39pm EDT By NICHOLAS MURRAY - nicholas.murray@uslsoccer.com Hundal, John both on target as TFC II earns 2-1 victory in home finale VAUGHAN, Ont. – Toronto FC II rallied from an early deficit to take a 2-1 victory against Orlando City B in the side’s home finale at the Ontario Soccer Centre on Sunday night. Orlando grabbed an early lead when Michael Cox turned his defender off a throw-in and sent a low shot that deflected off the right post and in. Toronto held the upper hand for much of the opening half-hour, however, and put pressure on the Orlando defense that paid off when Shaan Hundal tied the game in the 28th minute, knocking home his own rebound off a cross by Liam Fraser. TFC II almost took the lead a few minutes later when Ricardo John curled a shot just over the crossbar, while Malik Johnson flashed a shot just wide of the right post just after the hour-mark. John gave Toronto the lead with just under 20 minutes to go, though, as a good through-ball by Luca Uccello found Raheem Edwards, whose cross was tucked home by John’s header. Toronto goalkeeper Quillan Roberts had to be sharp twice late to deny Pierre Da Silva, first on a big, bending corner kick that would have found the net, and moments later on a powerful shot from 20 yards. Toronto held on for victory, however, as Orlando's winless streak reached seven games. Scoring: 5’ – ORL – Michael Cox (Zach Hayden) 28’ – TOR – Shaan Hundal 71’ – TOR – Ricardo John (Raheem Edwards) Three Things That Matter: •1. With the playoffs out of reach, Toronto FC II said they wanted to play spoiler for Orlando City B on Sunday night, and put in a strong overall performance after going behind to an opening goal that saw some rather lax defending. From that moment, though, Toronto had the upper hand, responded well with a good goal from Shaan Hundal before the break, and then took victory on a good three-player move finished by Ricardo John. The performance should have pleased Coach Jason Bent, and will hopefully give the side something to build on next season. •2. Trinidad & Tobago U23 international Ricardo John has had an immediate impact for Toronto FC II since joining the club, and on Sunday night his third goal in as many games proved the winner. A standout at Virginia Tech before turning professional earlier this year, John showed good awareness and spacing, and almost struck with a good curling effort in the first half. It will be interesting to see how his path develops in the future with Toronto. •3. Orlando got an early goal that broke a three-game scoreless streak, but then fell for the fourth consecutive time, and six out of its last seven outings, as its playoff hopes remained in limbo. OCB now has to visit Cincinnati next Saturday after FCC did the Lions a favor with victory against Wilmington Hammerheads FC earlier on Sunday, and the season could come down to its final game on the road against Bethlehem Steel FC on Sept. 25. USLSoccer.com Man of the Match Ricardo John, Toronto FC II – John’s third goal in as many games handed Toronto its first victory since July, and snapped a five-game losing streak. Upcoming Games: Toronto FC II at Rochester Rhinos – Sept. 24, 5:05 p.m. ET, Rhinos Stadium Orlando City B at FC Cincinnati – Sept. 17, 7 p.m. ET, Nippert Stadium
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