Toronto FC II failed to knock Richmond out of playoff contention on Wednesday, losing 2-1 against the Kickers at City Stadium.
With the Harrisburg City Islanders picking up a victory on the same day, it was a must win situation for the Kickers to keep their playoff hopes alive in their last match of the regular season.
With the win the Kickers moved up to fifth in the Eastern Conference with 41 points – 1 point ahead of the Charlotte Independence, 2 ahead of Harrisburg and 3 ahead of Pittsburgh, each of which have a game in hand.
With the loss TFC II’s record falls to 6-16-4 on the season with two matches remaining.
Luca Uccello had the lone goal for the young Reds – his first professional goal for TFC II and his first in the USL.
Richmond’s first of the night came in the 29th minute off the boot of leading scorer Jason Yeisley.
Braden Troyer made a great pass from the left side of the pitch into TFC II’s box and into the path of Yeisely.
Yeisley took a great first touch and was able to muscle off defender Adam Bouchard before sliding the ball through goalkeeper Alex Bono’s legs for the opening goal.
Toronto FC II managed to get the equalizer only a few minutes later.
Luca Uccello was given space just outside the box and he released a shot that got deflected on its way on goal and beat Richmond goalkeeper Ryan Taylor.
Richmond retook the lead six minutes into the second half.
George Davis IV hit a long-range free kick from about 30 yards – that took a slight deflection – and flew into the bottom left corner past a fully stretched Bono.
The Kickers nearly had a third in the 67th minute if not for a stunning save by Bono.
From just inside the box, Yeisley turned and hit a powerful right-footed shot that Bono was able to make a one-handed save on and tip over the bar.
Toronto FC II now travels to Wilmington to take on the Hammerheads this Saturday, September 19 in their second last match of the season.
Scoring Summary
RIC – Jason Yeisley 29’ (Braeden Troyer)
TFC II – Luca Uccello 35’ (Edwin Rivas)
RIC – George Davis IV 51’
Misconduct Summary
RIC – Mike Callahan 72’ (caution)
Records:
Toronto FC II: 6-16-4 22pts.
Richmond Kickers: 10-7-11 41pts.
Lineups
Toronto FC II – Alex Bono; Gabriel Boakye (Wesley Charpie76’), Daniel Fabrizi, Adam Bouchard (Skylar Thomas79’), Anthony Osorio; Chris Mannella©, Luca Uccello (Manny Aparicio 84’), Edwin Rivas (Sal Bernal72’), Mo Babouli; Massimo Mirabelli (Raheem Edwards 72’), Jordan Hamilton
Substitutes Not Used: Quillan Roberts, Emeka Ononye
Richmond Kickers – Ryan Taylor; Alex Lee, William Yomby, Braedan Troyer; Hugh Roberts, George Davis IV, Mike Callahan, Yudai Imura, Samuel Asante (Matthew Delicáte 81’); Anthony Grant (Collin Martin63’), Jason Yiesley (Fred Owusu70’)
Substitutes Not Used: Drew Romig, Uriah Bentick, Sascha Görres, Eli Garner
