Toronto FC II dropped their 2024 MLS NEXT Pro season opener with a 2-1 loss against Philadelphia Union II, after the hosts came from behind to win at Subaru Park on Sunday afternoon.
After exchanging goalscoring opportunities in the first half, the Young Reds took the lead in the 41st minute when Julian Altobelli set up Jesús Batiz to score the club’s first goal of the 2024 MLS NEXT Pro campaign.
The hosts, however, responded with two goals in quick succession when Francis Westfield scored from a corner in the 51st minute and Edward Davis tapped home from close range three minutes later. With six debutants taking the pitch for TFC II, the Young Reds were unable to find the equalizer in the second half and Union II held on for the 2-1 season opening win in Philadalphia.
Toronto FC II (0-1-0; 0 points) return to action Friday, March 22 when they face Chicago Fire FC II at SeatGeek Stadium. The match will be available to watch on MLS Season Pass on the Apple TV app, with kick-off set for 7:00 p.m. ET.
Scoring Summary:
TOR – Jesús Batiz 41’ (Julian Altobelli)
PHI – Francis Westfield 51’ (David Vazquez)
PHI – Edward Davis 54’
Misconduct Summary:
PHI – David Vazquez 9’ (caution)
TOR – Jesús Batiz 47’ (caution)
PHI – Olwethu Makhanya 71’ (caution)
TOR – Julian Altobelli 77’ (caution)
TOR – Markus Cimermancic 79’ (caution)
PHI – Jamir Berdecio 82’ (caution)
PHI – Sanders Ngabo 90+1’ (caution)
TOR – Ythallo Rodrigues de Oliveira 90+3’ (caution)
TOR – Antony Curic 90+7’ (caution)
Lineups:
PHILADELPHIA UNION II – Andrew Rick; Jamir Berdecio, Olwethu Makhanya, Neil Pierre, Francis Westfield; Sanders Ngabo, Kyle Tucker (C) (Alex Perez 73’), Nick Pariano (Giovanny Sequera 73’), David Vazquez; Edward Davis (Ryan Zellefrow 90+7’), Sal Olivas (Randy Meneses 90+3’)
Substitutes Not Used: Michael Sheridan, Carlos Rojas, John Andrus, Gavin Wetzel
TORONTO FC II – Abraham Rodriguez, Adam Pearlman (Tristan Pusztahegyi 74’),\\ Antony Curic (C)**, Lazar Stefanovic (Marko Stojadinovic 64’); Theo Rigopoulos (Nathaniel Edwards 46’), Kristjan Fortier (Ythallo Rodrigues de Oliveira 64’), Markus Cimermancic, Jesús Batiz; Mark Fisher, Julian Altobelli, Jordan Perruzza (Dékwon Barrow 64’)
Substitutes Not Used: Adisa De Rosario, Matthew Catavolo
Notables:
- A total of six players made their debut for Toronto FC II this afternoon: Starters Abraham Rodriguez, Kristjan Fortier and Mark Fisher along with Nathaniel Edwards, Ythallo Rodrigues de Oliveira and Tristan Pusztahegyi as substitutes.
- TFC II’s season-opening starting XI featured eight Canadians (Adam Pearlman, Antony Curic, Lazar Stefanovic, Theo Rigopoulos, Kristjan Fortier, Markus Cimermancic, Julian Altobelli and Jordan Perruzza) with a further four (Nathaniel Edwards, Dékwon Barrow, Marko Stojadinovic and Tristan Pusztahegyi) appearing as substitutes in the second half.
- Two players from the Toronto FC Academy started for the Young Reds – Theo Rigopoulos and debutant Kristjan Fortier, with Marko Stojadinovic and debutant Tristan Pusztahegyi coming on as substitutes.
- Jesús Batiz scored the first goal and Julian Altobelli registered the first assist of Toronto FC II’s 2024 MLS NEXT Pro campaign.
