FC Cincinnati 2 played to a 3-0 defeat against Toronto FC II at York Lions Stadium Sunday night. The Orange and Blue split the season series with the Young Reds after picking up a 4-2 win on Matchday 1 at Scudamore Field at NKU Soccer Stadium.
The result leaves FC Cincinnati 2 on eight points and 9th in the table, as current league matches stand. Toronto earns their first win of the year as they jump Huntsville City FC and into 12th place with a total of four points.
Toronto FC II opened the scoring in the 16th minute as Jordan Faria scored his first goal of the MLS NEXT Pro season. Matthew Catavolo created the chance for the Young Reds, forcing Paul Walters into a save with a shot from just inside the 18-yard line. Walters did well to save Catavolo’s initial attempt, but the rebound rolled into the path of an unmarked Faria who pounced on the loose ball for an easy tap-in.
Faria grabbed his second of the night in the 36th minute, doubling Toronto’s lead. The Young Reds broke into attack after playing a few quick passes out from the back and through midfield, which led to a three-on-one. Catavolo assisted on the goal, electing to play to Faria instead of having a shot on goal.
The Young Reds would take a 2-0 lead into the break. Despite the score line, goalkeeper Paul Walters, who made his second consecutive start, did well to keep the match within reach. Walters made six first-half saves and finished the match with seven, a season high for the young goalkeeper.
The Orange and Blue, who led MLS NEXT Pro in goals per match heading into Sunday night’s contest against Toronto, were shutout for the first time this season. FC Cincinnati 2 finished the night with eight shots, two of which were on target.
Bret Halsey linked up with Gerardo Valenzuela in the 58th minute in a dangerous moment for the Orange and Blue. Halsey, in possession atop the Toronto box, lofted a well-weighted pass up and over the Young Red’s backline, targeting Valenzuela. Valenzuela could not control cleanly and the Toronto defense was able to recover and clear.
Ryder Mills made his fourth appearance of the season, coming on in the 64th minute for Valenzuela in hopes of adding fresh legs to the attack. The FC Cincinnati Academy product made an instant impact, playing a fantastic through ball into Ben Stitz who had a one-on-one with Lucas Gavran. Stitz was able to move away from Gavran inside the box, but the Toronto goalkeeper recovered to clear the chance.
Toronto FC II added a third goal in the 81st minute as Hugo Mbongue scored his third goal of the season and third goal in his last three appearances for the Young Reds.
The Orange and Blue’s next match is on May 21 against in-state rival Columbus Crew 2 at Scudamore Field at NKU Soccer Stadium, with kickoff set for 6 p.m. ET.
FC CINCINNATI 2 GAME REPORT
FC Cincinnati 2 at Toronto FC II
Date: May 7, 2023
Competition: MLS NEXT Pro Regular Season
Venue: York Lions Stadium
Kickoff: 7:03 p.m. ET
Weather: 52 degrees, rain
SCORING SUMMARY: 1-2-F
TOR: 2-1-3
CIN: 0-0-0
TOR – J. Faria 16’, J. Faria (M. Catavolo) 36’, H. Mbongue (M. Cimermancic) 81’
LINEUPS
TOR: L. Gavran, J. Batiz, L. Stefanovic, M. Medeiros, R. Goulbourne (A. Pearlman, 46’), M. Cimermancic, A. Curic, L. Olguin, M. Catavolo (J. Altobelli, 79’), H. Mbonque, J. Faria (T. Rigopoulos, 82’)
Substitutes not used: A. De Rosario, A. Diaz, M. Stojadinovic, D. Barrow, J. Daher
Head Coach: Gianni Cimini
CIN: P. Walters, B.Halsey, I. Foster, D. Garcia, K. Thomas, M. Marshall, S. Adams (M. Dreas, 88’), S. Jimenez (H. Conteh, 73’), G. Valenzuela (R. Mills, 64’), B. Stitz, J. Castellano
Substitutes not used: H. Morse, N. McHenry
Head Coach: Tyrone Marshall
STATS SUMMARY: TOR/CIN
Shots: 18 / 8
Shots on Goal: 10 / 2
Saves: 2 / 7
Corner Kicks: 5 / 4
Fouls: 9 / 11
Offside: 1 / 0
Possession: 42.2 / 57.8
MISCONDUCT SUMMARY
TOR – M. Catavolo (Yellow card) 22’
CIN – S. Jimenez (Yellow card) 25’
TOR – R. Goulbourne (Yellow card) 29’
TOR – J. Faria (Yellow card) 42’
OFFICIALS
Referee: Robert D’Alesio
Ast. Referees: Gabrielle Lemieux, Twayne Anderson
Fourth Official: Yusri Rudolf
