Match Information:
MLS NEXT Pro: Matchday 11
Date: Thursday, May 23, 2024
Kickoff: 7:00 p.m. ET
Location: York Lions Stadium (North York, Ontario, Canada)
Watch: MLSNEXTPRO.com
SOCIAL TAGS:
Instagram: @carolinacore_fc
X: @Torontofcii
Instagram: @torontofcii
Carolina Core FC record: 1-4-2 (7 points – 14th in East)
Toronto FC II record: 3-2-2 (11 points – 10th in East)
Carolina Core FC continues its inaugural MLS NEXT Pro season on the road Thursday, May 23rd against Toronto FC II. Kickoff is set for 7:00 p.m. ET, with a live stream available on MLSNEXTPRO.com.
Fans can also follow @CarolinaCore_FC on X for live updates throughout the match.
Carolina Core FC enters the match following a 1-1 draw against Inter Miami CF II on Matchday 10 of the MLS NEXT Pro Regular Season. The draw against Miami led CCFC to their second penalty shootout victory this season, the first occurring in their inaugural game against Crown Legacy FC..
CCFC captain Jacob Evans would open the scoring in the 15th minute of the match with a right-footed strike outside the box to the bottom left corner of the goal. Evans latched onto a pass from midfielder Facundo Canete, scoring his second goal in as many games.
Moments later, the team would go down to 10-men following a red card issued to defender Kai Thomas in the 27th minute, when he fouled a Miami attacker as the last defender back.
Inter Miami II would go on to find an equalizer in the 79th minute when a cross hit the back of Israel Boatwright and landed into the goal, making it 1-1 on the night.
The match would end in a 1-1 draw and finish in an MLS NEXT Pro penalty kick shootout. Goalkeeper Alex Sutton came up big by scoring a penalty of his own and saving two to lead CCFC to a 4-2 shootout victory, securing the extra point on the road. During the shootout, spot kicks were also converted by defender Angel Aguas, midfielder Facundo Canete, and wingback Carlos Mario Diaz.
The match saw captain Jacob Evans continue a great run of form by scoring his third goal of the MLS NEXT Pro season. Midfield stalwart Facundo Canete would register his second assist of the campaign after his decisive pass in the attacking thirdto Evans.
CCFC defender Angel Aguas made his MLS NEXT Pro debut in the 76th minute of the match, as well, coming on for defender Jathan Juarez. Aguas played 14 minutes and served as a key contributor in keeping the match level, heading into the penalty kick shootout. Aguas would go on to score the second spot kick in the shootout with a quick-fire right-footed shot to the left side of the goal. His penalty helped the team secure a much-needed second point on the road.
Toronto FC II
After missing out on the playoffs in 2023, and finishing in the bottom half of the Eastern Conference, Toronto FC II look to make another playoff run in Gianni Cimini’s third season at the helm. In TFC II’s first season in MLSNP, Cimini guided the team to the Eastern Conference Finals where they fell to eventual champions Columbus Crew, 4-3. Prior to taking the role as TFC II’s coach, Gianni Cimini spent 10 years working with the TFC Academy as the Head Coach for the U-12, U-16 and U-17 age groups. He also served as the Academy Technical Manager from 2015 to 2017. Cimini holds a U.S. Soccer Federation ‘A’ Coaching License.
Recording 3 wins, 2 losses, 2 draws so far this season, Toronto FC II currently sit in the 10th position in the Eastern Conference standings with 11 points.
Toronto FC II comes into the match on the back of a 1-0 victory over Huntsville City FC on May 10.
In a tightly contested match against Huntsville City FC, it would take almost the full 90 minutes for Toronto FC II to break the deadlock. In the 86th minute, forward Charlie Sharp came off the bench to score a right-footed shot to the bottom left corner of the goal following a give-and-go with midfielder Markus Cimermancic. The game-winner was Charlie Sharp’s third goal of the season.
Despite a challenging start to the campaign, TFC II have won two of their previous three matches. Forward Charlie Sharp leads the team with three goals so far this season. Jesus Batiz has two goals, following a 2023 season where he scored eight. Additionally, forwards Julian Altobelli and Batiz both are tied for the team lead with two assists each.
Carolina Core FC and Toronto FC II kick off at 7:00 p.m. ET on Thursday. This will be the first time these two sides meet.
Fans can stream the match live on MLSNEXTPRO.com, or come out to York Lions Stadium to support Carolina Core FC away from home.
