Toronto FC II emerged with a crucial 3-2 victory over the Bethlehem Steel on Wednesday night at the Ontario Soccer Centre.
Jason Bent's side needed to be at the top of their game, showing sharpness in front of net and stout defence against a determined opposition.
The scoring was opened early; Bubacarr Jobe picked up a loose ball on the right side in the second minute and brought it forward into a dangerous area. He squared it for Sal Bernal who brought the ball in and spun into space. Bernal kept the play moving to Luca Uccello at the top of the box. The Woodbridge native was able to get around the outside of the defence and place his shot neatly into the bottom right corner with his left foot.
The Young Reds didn’t wait long to make it a two-goal lead, scoring their second in the 12th minute. Shaan Hundal picked it up on the halfway line on the left side of the pitch, looked up and played a pass through two defenders for a streaking Jobe to chase down.
Jobe broke between them and rounded the onrushing keeper, making sure to sweep it into the empty net. It was his first professional goal.
The Young Reds added a third tally in the 63rd minute to make it 3-1. Uccello stood over a free kick in a dangerous position, twenty-five yards out on the left side. His initial attempt hit the wall but the rebound broke to Liam Fraser who was able to blast a half-volley into the bottom left corner past a stationary Samir Badr in the Bethlehem net.
Don't blink! You might miss this absolute missile from @Liam_Fraser7@TorontoFCII#TORvBST#USLhttps://t.co/SWpivb3W6K
— USL (@USL) July 7, 2016
Former TFC defender Ryan Richter and Joshua Heard recorded goals for the Steel.
TFC II's three goals was a season high, and the win puts them within four points of a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. Their next game sees them take on conference rivals Harrisburg City Islanders on Sunday evening. Watch the 6:00pm kick off live at tfc2.ca
Scoring Summary
TFC II – Luca Uccello 2’ (Sal Bernal)
TFC II – Buba Jobe 13’ (Shaan Hundal)
BST – Ryan Richter 39’
TFC II – Liam Fraser 63’
BST – Joshua Heard 66’
Misconduct Summary
BST – Raheem Taylor-Parkes 82’ (caution)
TFC II – Buba Jobe 90’ (caution)
Records:
Toronto FC II: 4-11-4 16pts.
Bethlehem Steel FC: 4-6-6 18pts.
Lineups
Toronto FC II – Phil Di Bennardo; Wesley Charpie, Mitchell Taintor, Skylar Thomas ©, Anthony Osorio; Liam Fraser, Aidan Daniels (Brian James 61’), Luca Uccello (Chris Mannella 87’); Sal Bernal, Shaan Hundal (Ayo Akinola 70’), Buba Jobe
Substitutes Not Used: Angelo Cavalluzzo, Leonard Sohn
Bethlehem Steel FC – Samir Badr; Ryan Richter ©, Mickey Daly, Anderson Conceicao (Jamie Luchini 67’), Auston Trusty; James Chambers, Derrick Jones (Raheem Taylor-Parkes 70’), Anthony Fontana (Helbert Frederico Carriera Da Silva 67’); Joshua Heard (Nick Bibbs 84’), Taylor Washington, Cory Burke (Gabriel Gissie 19’)
Substitutes Not Used: Carlos Dos Santos, Amoy Brown
Attendance: 1, 064
