Toronto FC II are back at the Ontario Soccer Centre this Friday to face second place Charleston Battery at 8PM.
Your Reds are coming off a fourth consecutive loss at home, losing 1-0 to bitter rivals FC Montreal on Tuesday.
The struggles continue for TFC II. The team has not scored in their last four matches and has yet to record a win in Vaughan, going 0-4-0 in matches at the Ontario Soccer Centre.
Your Reds currently sit second last in the Eastern Conference with a record of 3-9-3 over 15 matches.
The Opposition
Charleston Battery is coming off a 1-0 home victory and a third consecutive shutout against Wilmington Hammerheads this past weekend.
The Battery sit in second place in the Eastern Conference with 34 points on the year.
The two clubs met in the first match of the 2015 USL season back on March 21st at Blackbaud Stadium.
TFC II jumped out to an early 2-0 lead on goals from Jordan Hamilton and Mo Babouli but were unable to hold on for the victory, as Charleston put in two goals before scoring in stoppage time to solidify the comeback and secure three points at home.
Charleston will be missing a few key players including Odisnel Cooper, Heviel Cordoves and Maikel Chang, all of Cuban decent, who have travel restrictions.
Players to Watch
Charleston’s Dane Kelly is one of the most prolific goal scorers in the USL. He is tied for fourth in the league in goals with 9 in 16 matches. His wonder strike against the Hammerheads last week will be a goal of the year candidate.
Battery Captain Jarad van Schaik had an excellent performance against Wilmington and was named to USL’s Team of the Week last week along with Kelly.
Reinforcements for Friday
Five of Your Reds have returned from Pan Am duties following Canada’s elimination on Monday: Captain Chris Mannella, Adam Bouchard, Manny Aparicio, Mo Babouli and Raheem Edwards.
Sal Bernal, Toronto FC’s 70th pick in the 2015 MLS SuperDraft, has finally rejoined the team after a lengthy delayed absence due to visa issues and is expected to be in the lineup against Charleston.
Skylar Thomas is expected to return to the lineup following his absence on Tuesday against FC Montreal. Thomas trained with the first team on Tuesday and played 70 minutes for Toronto FC in a friendly against Sunderland AFC on Wednesday.
TFC II takes on Charleston Battery this Friday, July 24th at the Ontario Soccer Centre at 8:00PM ET. Follow along on Twitter @TorontoFCII using the hashtag #TFCLive and watch the action via livestream at torontofc.ca/live
