Who: Toronto FC II (1-3-3) vs. Bethlehem Steel FC (2-4-0)
When: Saturday, May 13, 6:00 PM
Where: BMO Field
Tickets: Here
After over a month away the Young Reds are finally returning home, sort of. If you had not heard already, this Saturday’s match against Bethlehem Steel FC will be played at BMO Field. Kickoff is slated for 6:00 PM. Tickets are being sold separately but a ticket to the early Toronto FC vs. Minnesota United match will grant you admission to the second game.
The Young Reds had their franchise best shutout streak snapped at the hands of the Pittsburgh Riverhounds in their last match. The team will now look to break a goalless drought that has stretched on for four matches.
Based on last season’s results, the Reds should be poised to break that drought come Saturday. Last year the Young Reds went 2-0-0 against Bethlehem. Both matches ended 3-2, with Shaan Hundal bagging a brace in the second meeting.
Bethlehem comes into the game following a peculiar start to their season. The team has looked very strong in a pair of home victories over USL favourites FC Cincinnati. However, they have looked vulnerable in losses to Orlando City B, Harrisburg, Rochester, and most recently Charleston.
Steel FC’s assistant coach Stephan Hogan had high praise for Reds’ keeper Angelo Cavalluzzo in a conference call with the media on Wednesday. “We need to figure out how to score against their keeper Cavalluzzo… he’s been one of the best players in the league so far.”
There are no new injuries to report so expect a full squad come Saturday. With the first team playing just hours ahead of TFC II it will be interesting to see what first team players will be available for head coach Jason Bent.
Players to Watch:
Cory Burke: The Jamaican international had a strong debut season for the Bethlehem last year. The forward scored four times and added two assists in 20 matches. This year the forward has appeared in five matches and has registered ten shots on goal but has yet to find the back of the net. Over the offseason, Burke earned his first call-up to the Jamaican National Team. The native of Kingston scored twice during the Reggae Boyz’ Caribbean Cup qualification.
Chris Nanco: The North York, Ontario native was a third round selection by the Philadelphia Union in the 2017 MLS SuperDraft. Nanco spent four years at Syracuse University before this season. As an orange, Nanco scored 21 goals in 84 matches. Nanco has appeared in two games thus far, both as a substitute.
