Franco Ramos Mingo’s first-half header was all Toronto FC II needed to pick up three points at home, as the Canadian side defeated South Georgia Tormenta FC 1-0 on Friday afternoon. The result eliminates Tormenta from playoff contention.
The game got off to a frenzied start, with both teams coming close to scoring inside the opening two minutes. Toronto’s Jacob Shaffelburg did well to create a yard of space at the edge of the penalty area before unleashing a wicked strike that clanged off the outside of the post. Tormenta then took possession and went straight up to the other end. Marco Micaletto got in behind the Toronto backline, but goalkeeper Eric Klenofsky was equal to the task of stopping Micaletto's shot.
Jordan Perruzza thought he’d opened the scoring for Toronto in the 14th minute, but his header from a corner was disallowed for a foul. Nine minutes later, Franco Ramos Mingo put the ball in the back of the net for the home side from nearly the exact same position on another corner, and the goal stood the second time around to give Toronto the lead. That one goal proved enough for Toronto to walk out as winners after they withstood late offensive pressure from Tormenta.
The result eliminates Tormenta from playoff contention, but they’ll look to close out the season on a high note when they host Greenville Triumph in their season finale next week. Though Toronto’s playoff hopes were over before this match, the win is their ninth on the season, an all-time high for the club in a USL league. Toronto have a two-game road-trip to take on Richmond and Chattanooga to close out the 2019 campaign.
