Toronto FC II (4W-3L-2T, 14 points) fell 1-4 to the visiting Chicago Fire FC II (5W-2L-3T, 20 points) at York Lions Stadium on Thursday evening.
TFC II Head Coach Gianni Cimini made five changes to the starting eleven that beat Carolina Core FC at home last week, with Antony Curic, Ythallo, Theo Rigopoulos, Andrei Dumitru and Nathaniel Edwards replacing Marko Stojadinovic, Lazar Stefanovic, Mark Fisher, Hassan Ayari and Charlie Sharp.
The Young Reds took an early lead when a long, diagonal pass from Charlie Staniland beat Chicago’s entire defensive line to release Theo Rigopoulos into space. The young Canadian wing-back raced into the box before setting up Markus Cimermancic for the evening’s opening goal. The 10th minute strike marked Rigopoulos’ first assist for TFC II and Cimermancic’s tenth goal contribution (four goals, six assists) in his third season with the Young Reds.
Chicago Fire FC II responded with a quick equalizer when Peter Soudan’s in-swinging corner deflected into the net via Toronto’s Jesús Batiz in the 16th minute.
The visitors took the lead when Jason Shokalook found the back of the net ten minutes later, despite the hosts’ appeals for a foul on defender Antony Curic in the build-up.
Two minutes later, TFC II were awarded a penalty when Charlie Heuer fouled Julian Altobelli in the box. However, Altobelli stepped up and was unable to convert his spot-kick in the 29th minute.
In search of a second-half equalizer, the Young Reds were awarded their second penalty of the night when Jesús Batiz was fouled by Christian Koffi in the 63rd minute. Substitute Charlie Sharp, however, saw his effort from 12 yards saved by goalkeeper Patrick Los to keep the hosts trailing by one.
Captain David Poreba added two late goals for Chicago, scoring in the 94th minute from a counter-attack before converting from the penalty spot in the 96th minute.
Toronto FC II hit the road next to face New York Red Bulls II on Sunday, June 9 for their tenth MLS NEXT Pro match of the 2024 campaign. Kick-off from MSU Soccer Park in Montclair, New Jersey is set for 7:00 p.m. ET and will be available to watch on MLSNEXTPro.com and the MLS YouTube channel.
SCORING SUMMARY
TOR – Markus Cimermancic 10’ (Theo Rigopoulos)
CHI – Jesús Batiz 16’ (own goal)
CHI – Jason Shokalook 26’
CHI – David Poreba 90+4’ (Michael Ramirez)
CHI – David Poreba 90+6’ (penalty kick)
MISCONDUCT SUMMARY
TOR – Antony Curic 26’ (caution)
TOR – Charlie Sharp 76’ (caution)
LINEUPS
TORONTO FC II – Adisa De Rosario; Adam Pearlman, Antony Curic (C) (Dékwon Barrow 79’), Ythallo (Lazar Stefanovic 46’); Theo Rigopoulos (Marko Stojadinovic 69’), Andrei Dumitru (Matthew Catavolo 85’), Charlie Staniland (Lucas Olguin 69’), Markus Cimermancic, Nathaniel Edwards; Jesús Batiz, Julian Altobelli (Charlie Sharp 46’)
Substitutes Not Used: Shafique Wilson, Tristan Pusztahegyi, Hassan Ayari
CHICAGO FIRE FC II – Patrick Los; Omari Glasgow, Jaylen Shannon (Romain Blake, 86’), Diego Konincks, Lamonth Rochester (Jean Diouf 60’); Charlie Heuer (Juan Calle 69’), Sergio Oregel, Peter Soudan (Michael Ramirez 85’), David Poreba (C), Luka Prpa (Christian Koffi 46’); Jason Shokalook
Substitutes Not Used: Bryan Dowd
NOTABLES:
- Theo Rigopoulos registered his first assist for Toronto FC II.
