Toronto FC II Goals: Nolan 16' (PK), Henry 29'
New York City FC II Goals:
Quick Read
New York City FC II fell to a 2-0 defeat against Toronto FC II on Friday night. The hosts took control with two first-half goals, while New York City FC II created opportunities after the break but could not find a way through. Seymour Reid saw a second-half penalty saved as Toronto secured all three points at home.
Match Recap
New York City FC II traveled north of the border on Friday night to take on Toronto FC II.
Matt Pilkington’s side entered the contest in fine form following back-to-back victories over FC Cincinnati 2 and New England Revolution II, while the hosts were looking to bounce back from a 5-1 loss to New York Red Bulls II.
Both sides registered chances during a fast start. Toronto’s Abundance Salaou went first in the fifth minute, but his effort was blocked before El Hadji Samb saw an attempt stopped by Lazar Stefanović.
Malik Henry then registered another effort for Toronto before the hosts were awarded a penalty in the 16th minute.
Jahmarie Nolan stepped up to take the spot kick, and although Mac Learned guessed correctly, he was unable to prevent Toronto from taking the lead.
Buoyed by the advantage, Toronto continued to push for a second and saw several half-chances go begging before a mazy run from Fletcher Bank ended with the midfielder hitting the crossbar in the 28th minute.
The hosts doubled their advantage moments later when Bryce Boneau’s backheel found Henry, who spun before curling an effort past Learned from a narrow angle.
A fast break in the 39th minute almost resulted in a third, but Bank’s left-footed effort lacked the power to trouble Learned.
New York City FC II fashioned two chances of their own before halftime through Samb and Luka Šunjic, but both efforts were blocked.
Neither side made changes at the break, with New York City FC II starting the second half on the front foot.
Juan Ponce had a chance to reduce the deficit in the 49th minute but fired wide, while teammate Seymour Reid drew a save from Adisa De Rosario eight minutes later.
In the 66th minute, Samb sent a high, looping effort toward goal but failed to catch it cleanly, allowing De Rosario to make a comfortable save.
Máximo Carrizo then went close with an effort that narrowly missed the target. Toronto launched a quick counterattack in response, but Nolan was unable to hit the target.
Toronto continued to threaten on the break, with Bank making a driving run down the right before clipping a cross toward Nolan. The forward’s header was comfortably held by Learned.
Pilkington made his first substitutions in the 73rd minute, introducing Drew Kerr and Jacob Arroyave in place of Ponce and Adonis Campos.
New York City FC II were handed a route back into the game in the 80th minute when they were awarded a penalty. Reid stepped up to take the spot kick but saw his effort saved by De Rosario.
Toronto responded with an attempt of its own through Diego Núñez-Brito, but captain Joseph Suchecki was on hand to block the effort.
The hosts were reduced to 10 men in the 89th minute when Richard Chukwu received a second booking for a foul on Samb.
From the resulting free kick, Kevin Pierre directed a header on target, but De Rosario did well to claim the effort and preserve Toronto’s clean sheet.
That proved to be New York City FC II’s final chance of the night, as they fell to a 2-0 defeat on the road.
How We Lined Up
What's Next
Next up for New York City FC II is a game against New York Red Bulls II on Tuesday, September 8. Kickoff is scheduled for 5:00PM ET.
