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Toronto, North Carolina Finish Scoreless

By NICHOLAS MURRAY - nicholas.murray@uslsoccer.com, 04/18/18, 10:03PM EDT

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Young Reds earn first point of season after 0-0 draw at BMO Field


Photo courtesy Martin Bazyl / Toronto FC II

TORONTO – Toronto FC II earned its first point of the season as it played to a 0-0 draw with North Carolina FC on Wednesday night at BMO Field. Toronto almost opened the scoring in the 23rd minute when Mariano Mino knifed through the defense and slipped a pass to Shaan Hundal, but the Canadian U20 international’s finish flew high of the crossbar. North Carolina also went close seven minutes later, only for Kyle Bekker’s shot to be blocked behind by Toronto defender Rocco Romeo, while TFC II’s Aidan Daniels just missed with a curling shot from 20 yards that almost picked out the top-right corner. Toronto threatened again eight minutes into the second half when Noble Okello curled a shot toward the left corner that was saved by NCFC goalkeeper Alex Tambakis, while the visitors went close when Andre Fortune tapped his finish just wide after a flicked header by Ulrich Ewolo. North Carolina threatened late as Marcel Kandziora’s low cross deflected at the top of the penalty area, but was smothered by TFC II goalkeeper Angelo Cavalluzzo, and Toronto’s Malik Johnson forced a save with a tight-angle shot from the left side of the penalty area. NCFC had the last chances to grab all three points when the ball fell nicely for Marios Lomis after a corner, only for his volley to ring off the crossbar, and Cavalluzzo pulled off a good save to deny Bernhard Luxbacher in stoppage time, but the points ended up shared as neither side found a decisive finish.

Scoring:
None

Three Things That Matter:

  • 1. Toronto had a tough time of it defensively in its visit to Pittsburgh last time out, but the side put in a very well-organized display in its home opener to earn its first point of the season as it did well to move possession and limit North Carolina’s clean looks at goal. The visitors held more of the possession, but TFC II consistently looked more dangerous in the attacking third. If Head Coach Laurent Guyot can sharpen its finishing, and in the likes of Shaan Hundal, Ayo Akinola and Malik Johnson the potential is there, the side could certainly build on a good performance like this one.

  • 2. TFC II had been without one of its offseason newcomers in its opening three games of the season, but on his debut for the side Argentine playmaker Mariano Miño showed plenty of what he’ll have to offer this season with a crisp performance that came close to lifting the hosts to victory. Miño recorded four key passes, but additionally linked play extremely well in all areas as he completed 46 of 53 passes overall and won eight of 11 duels. The 24-year-old brings valuable experience to Toronto’s young squad, but also looks to have the potential to be a difference-maker moving forward.

  • 3. North Carolina almost stole victory with a minute to go when Marios Lomis fired a powerful finish off the crossbar, but the 89th-minute effort would have been slightly flattering to the visitors as they finished the game outshot by a count of 17-9 and only forced one late save from Toronto goalkeeper Angelo Cavalluzzo. After the high of Saturday’s win in Charlotte, NCFC was unable to back up that display in the attacking third and will head on to Ottawa for Saturday’s game with the Fury FC hoping for a more cohesive display in the attacking third.

USLSoccer.com Man of the Match

Mariano Miño, Toronto FC II – Miño put in a stellar display pulling the strings in Toronto’s midfield in an impressive debut for the Young Reds in their home opener.

Upcoming Games:

Toronto FC II at Richmond Kickers – April 25, 7 p.m. ET, City Stadium

North Carolina FC at Ottawa Fury FC – April 21, 2 p.m. ET, TD Place

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