Toronto FC II (2W-2L-2T, 8 points) played out a 1-1 draw against Columbus Crew 2 (3W-2L-2T, 12 points) at York Lions Stadium on Sunday evening, before the visitors picked up an extra point courtesy of a 3-1 MLS NEXT Pro shootout result.
TFC II Head Coach Gianni Cimini rang seven changes to the side that emerged victorious against Orlando City B last weekend, with Marko Stojadinovic, Lazar Stefanovic, Lucas Olguin, Nathaniel Edwards, Andrei Dumitru, Hassan Ayari and Julian Altobelli coming in for Antony Curic, Ythallo, Charlie Staniland, Jesús Batiz, Mark Fisher, Cassius Mailula and Charlie Sharp.
The Young Reds began on the front foot and made their early dominance count when Hassan Ayari latched on to a misplaced pass and fired past Cole Johnson to give the hosts an early lead. Making his first start for the club, the 16th minute strike marked the Tunisian youth national’s first TFC II goal and was enough to give the side a one-goal lead going into the half-time interval.
Columbus Crew 2 pulled one back early in the second half when Cole Mrowka equalized in the 52nd minute. The visitors then squandered an opportunity to take the lead when Brent Adu-Gyamfi was unable to convert a penalty kick in the 63rd minute.
With both sides unable to find a game-winner in regular time, TFC II played out their second consecutive MLS NEXT Pro shootout at home with Columbus Crew 2 prevailing 3-1 to take the extra point at York Lions Stadium.
Toronto FC II hit the road next to face 2023 MLS NEXT Pro expansion club Huntsville City FC on Friday, May 10. Kick-off from Wicks Family Field at Joe Davis Stadium in Huntsville, Alabama is set for 8:00 p.m. ET and will be available to watch on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV globally.
SCORING SUMMARY
TOR – Hassan Ayari 16’
CLB – Cole Mrowka 52’ (Owen Presthus)
SHOOTOUT SUMMARY
TOR – Julian Altobelli – goal (1:0)
CLB – Chase Mesner Adams – goal (1:1)
TOR – Matthew Catavolo – miss (1:1)
CLB – Owen Presthus – goal (1:2)
TOR – Markus Cimermancic – miss (1:2)
CLB – Taha Habroune – goal (1:3)
TOR – Charlie Staniland – miss (2:3)
MISCONDUCT SUMMARY
CLB – Jordan Knight 48’ (caution)
TOR – Nathaniel Edwards 89’ (caution)
LINEUPS
TORONTO FC II – Adisa De Rosario; Marko Stojadinovic, Adam Pearlman (Antony Curic 87’), Lazar Stefanovic (Ythallo 46’); Theo Rigopoulos, Lucas Olguin (Charlie Staniland 69’), Markus Cimermancic, Nathaniel Edwards; Andrei Dumitru (Matthew Catavolo 46’), Hassan Ayari (Mark Fisher 46’), Julian Altobelli (C)
Substitutes Not Used: Shafique Wilson, Richard Chukwu, Tristan Pusztahegyi, Philip Igbinobaro
COLUMBUS CREW 2 – Cole Johnson; Jordan Knight, Diego Almeida Crespo, Ty Nero; Owen Presthus, Giorgio DeLibera (C), Taha Habroune, Chris Rogers; Cole Mrowka (Anthony Rick Alaouieh 73’), Brent Adu-Gyamfi (Terron Williams 86’), Gibran Rayo (Chase Mesner Adams 86’)
Substitutes Not Used: Christopher Bonos, Jacob Greene, Tristan Alexander Brown, Jayden Da, Mohamed Saad
Notables:
- Hassan Ayari started his first match and scored his first goal for Toronto FC II.
- Julian Altobelli made his 77th appearance for TFC II and now sits second outright in the club’s all-time appearance charts, behind only Shaan Hundal (84).
