Match summary
Just a day after the 2-0 senior team victory against Toronto FC, FC Cincinnati 2 faced off against Toronto FC 2 in the MLS Next Pro season opener for both sides.
A lack of quality chances for FCC 2 saw Toronto FC 2 come away with a close 1-0 win away from home, thanks to a well worked team goal that put Nathaniel Edwards into a position to tap in the only goal of the match. This FCC 2 side was only shut out on 4 occasions last season, but one of them was against Toronto 2, so there will be questions to be asked by Tyrone Marshall.
Nonetheless, while this is an unfortunate, uncharacteristic result for this FCC 2 side, there were positive signs throughout the match. With a number of debutants tonight, it’s understandable to see problems with cohesiveness and communication. The talent is there in this squad and you can expect to see this side do well in the league this year. They will be looking to improve in the coming games in order to properly defend their first placed eastern conference MLS Next Pro finish from the previous campaign.
“We just need to be a little bit more aggressive, and get more in tune,” Tyrone Marshall said. “As you can see, we’re still not connecting yet in the final third and that’s just, again, a lack of playing together and a lack of training together, and you’re gonna see that throughout the league as we start the season just to get that cohesiveness.”
Notable events
10’ The first big chance of the match comes for Toronto FC 2 as Brian Schaefer gives away an unlucky foul in a really dangerous position right outside the Cincinnati box. Paul Walters made a fantastic double save to keep it 0-0.
30’ Despite dominating possession during the opening 25 minutes of the first half, FCC 2 concedes first. A well-constructed array of passes opened up a through ball opportunity for Hassan Ayari of Toronto FC 2, who squared a ball across the face of goal for Nathaniel Edwards to fire home. 0-1 Toronto.
39’ While ultimately the play was deemed offsides, Paul Walters makes another fantastic save to keep the game alive, this time in a 1v1 against Toronto FC 2 striker Charlie sharp.
47’ Kenji Mboma Dem takes a long-ranged effort as a last-ditch attempt before half time is called. The shot is well placed considering the distance, but it’s comfortably saved by Toronto FC 2 keeper Adisa De Rosario.
56’ De Rosario plays a risky pass that is intercepted by Peter Mangione, who feeds Stiven Jimenez for a shot on goal. It beats De Rosario but is impressively cleared off the line by Reid Fisher. Despite gaining possession off the clearance, the attack comes to nothing, but momentum seems to swing in favor of FCC 2.
60’ Two substitutes are made for FCC 2; Dado Valenzuela for former Portland Timbers man Tega Ikoba, as well as fullback William Kuisel, on for Yorkaeff Caicedo. All of whom, with the exception of Dado Valenzuela, making their FCC 2 debuts.
73’ After an impressive display of technical dribbling by Valenzuela, the ball finds Kuisel. Kuisel fires a cross into the mixer, where it finds Mboma Dem, who sets up Brian Schaefer. His ranged effort skims over the top of the goal.
Player notes and standouts
Nick Hagglund: It’s good to see Hagglund back in action. A good display of accurate passing and leadership in that young back line are things you’d expect to see from a regular first team player. He was very aggressive in his press, at times finding himself in no man’s land, forced to thump the ball long to avoid giving the ball away in a dangerous area of the pitch.
Brian Schaefer: Showed real confidence and was the standout in defense. He had a really aggressive but meticulous press, bullied the Toronto forwards, commanded his defensive line, and did well to bring it out of defense – everything you want to see from your central defender, especially in a back five. Really consistent performer for Tyrone Marshall’s FCC 2.
Stefan Chirila: Despite going goalless tonight, he showed really positive signs, doing really well to drop from his striker position in between the lines to link play. He displayed a real maturity for his age, being one of the youngest players on the field during the matchup.
Mangione and Jimenez: Both showed good composure under pressure and did well to link play by finding players in space. They had good movement, leading the heart of the midfield’s press.
Yorkaeff Caicedo: Very lively display on his FCC 2 debut. He had lots of energy, runs into space, does well to shoot and cross the correct situations – everything you want to see from an attacking wingback.
Paul Walters: Should the first team need, they have amazing goalkeeping depth in Paul Walters. He had a great game, despite the loss. He commanded his back line, made some acrobatic saves, and distributed really well. Positive signs early on for Walters as he remains No. 1 for FCC 2.
William Kuisel: 17-year-old William Kuisel showed impressive technical skills and a high level of tactical awareness. In his limited time on the pitch, he completed some well-placed crosses and did well to recover when Toronto FC 2 counter attacked.
Lastly, Gerardo “Dado” Valenzuela was the creative outlet the team had been missing all game. As soon as he came on, momentum heavily shifted in the direction of FCC 2. He looked really sharp, doing an impressive job of progressing the ball and winning 1v1 duels. It’s unfortunate he wasn’t able to get more time, likely down to his fitness and involvement with the first team. As soon as he came on, we looked unpredictable and silky in attack, and Toronto FC 2 was forced to sit back and defend deep, which made it extremely difficult for him and the rest of our attack to break down and find space in Toronto FC 2’s defensive third.
LINEUPS
CIN: Paul Walters, Nick Hagglund (Noah Adnan 46’), Brian Schaefer, Andrei Chirila, Monsuru Opeyemi (Dilan Hurtado 71’), Peter Mangione (C), Stiven Jimenez (Ademar Chavez 79’), Yorkaeff Caicedo (Will Kuisel 60’), Kenji Mboma Dem, Stefan Chirila, Tega Ikoba (Gerardo Valenzuela 61’)
Substitutes not used: Nathan Crockford, Xhosa Manyana, Juan Machado, Carson Locker
Head Coach: Tyrone Marshall
TOR: Adisa De Rosario, Reid Fisher, Lazar Stefanovic, Richard Chukwu (Ythallo 73’), Kobe Franklin (C), Nathaniel Edwards (Malik Henry 89’), Lucas Olguin, Michael Sullivan, Hassan Ayari (Andrei Dumitru 81’), Charles Sharp, Dekwon Barrow (Josh Nugent 73’)
Substitutes not used: Nathaniel Abraham, Antone Bossenberry, Micah Chisholm, Marko Stojadinovic, Stefan Kapor
Head Coach: Gianni Cimini
STATS SUMMARY: CIN/TOR
Shots: 9 / 10
Shots on Goal: 2 / 5
Saves: 4 / 2
Corner Kicks: 1 / 2
Fouls: 16 / 8
Offside: 1 / 1
MISCONDUCT SUMMARY
TOR – Lazar Stefanovic (Yellow Card) 17’
TOR – Dekwon Barrow (Yellow Card) 40′
OFFICIALS
Referee: Calin Radosav
Ast. Referees: John Krill, Jackson Krauser
Fourth Official: Salvador Flores
FCC 2 will be looking to bounce back during their next MLS Next Pro game against New England Revolution 2, who finished bottom of the eastern conference last season. This match takes place on Thursday, March 13, 5PM, at Gillette stadium.
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