VAUGHAN, Ontario – The New York Red Bulls II’s persistence in the attack paid off as Junior Flemmings tallied midway through the second half to lead his side to a 1-0 victory against Toronto FC II on Wednesday at the Ontario Soccer Centre. Flemmings’ seventh goal of the season helped the Eastern Conference leader earn its fourth consecutive victory, improving to 16-3-5 (53 points) overall and 10-1-1 on the road. During this stretch, NYRBII has outscored its opponents 12-1. Toronto dropped to 6-15-5 (23 points) overall and 3-6-3 at home. This was the second and final regular-season match between the two clubs. They played to a 2-2 draw on March 26 at Red Bull Arena in the season opener for both sides.

Scoring:
64’ – NY – Junior Flemmings

Three Things That Mattered:

• 1. Toronto’s best defensive clearance during one sequence was quickly nullified with a Junior Flemmings goal during the subsequent set piece for New York. In the 63rd minute, Flemmings shot from the left side to force TFCII goalkeeper Nathan Ingham – making his first appearance – into a save. The ball eventually deflected to NYRBII goal-scoring leader Brandon Allen from eight yards with Ingham out of position. Ingham’s back line bailed him out as Marko Maletic came up with the goal-line clearance with his right foot, conceding a corner kick. However, on the following play, some miscommunication occurred in the box when Toronto was looking to make a clearance or allow Ingham to fall onto the loose ball. Instead, the ball was up for grabs and Flemmings slotted it home in the 64th minute for the go-ahead tally.

• 2. If Toronto needed a reminder of just how potent NYRBII’s attack can be, the host side received that message just nine seconds in – and New York didn’t even start out with the ball at kickoff. Derrick Etienne stole the ball and crossed left to right above the 18-yard box, in the direction of Allen. Allen smartly dummied the ball, which reached Flemmings on the right, but Flemmings pushed his shot just wide of the frame. New York missed a glorious chance to gain the lead in mere seconds while Toronto breathed a collective sigh of relief. TFCII’s defense was tested in the early going, with Ingham stepping well off his line to stuff another Flemmings shot in the seventh minute.

• 3. After sustaining a mostly defense-heavy opening 20-25 minutes, Toronto found some better balance and then broke through New York’s defense. During TFCII’s 28th-minute counterattack, Martin Davis crossed the ball in from the left corner to Mo Babouli, who unloaded a shot that caromed off of the left post. Shaan Hundal was there for the rebound, but his attempt scooted just wide right of the far right post. Though a goal didn’t pan out, it was a swift counter from Toronto and the type of sequence that can breathe success when going against a NYRBII side that typically pushes heavy numbers forward.

USLSoccer.com Man of the Match:
Junior Flemmings, New York Red Bulls II - Flemmings gave NYRBII the goal it needed as he showcased his usual prowess around the net.

Upcoming Games:
Toronto FC II vs. FC Montreal – Aug. 28, 4 p.m. ET, Ontario Soccer Centre
New York Red Bulls II vs. FC Cincinnati – Aug. 28, 5:40 p.m. ET, Red Bull Arena