TFC II and AS Roma Primavera played some attractive football in front of over one thousand people on a Tuesday night at the Ontario Soccer Centre.
In the end AS Roma Primavera defeated the young Reds 5-3 in penalty kicks following a 2-2 tie in regulation.
All in all it was an enjoyable occasion and great experience for the young TFC II players.
Your Reds had several opportunities in the first half to open up the scoring. Forward Sal Bernal had a decent effort tipped out for a corner by AS Roma Primavera goalkeeper Lorenzo Cristanto in the 3rd minute. A few minutes later Mo Babouli had a decent opportunity, cutting to his left and releasing an effort from outside the box that went just wide.
Raheem Edwards was flying from the get go and almost opened up the scoring in the 10th minute. Edwards made a great run from the left side of the pitch, cut to his right and hit a shot that sailed just over the bar.
Manny Aparicio had an impressive half for TFC II, winning tackles, maintaining possession, and distributing all over the pitch. Edwards also had a standout half, causing the Roma Primavera defense problems with his speed and pace.
The Italian club drew first blood, opening up the scoring in the 45th minute. Forward Edoardo Soleri beat the offside trap, tipped the ball past rushing TFC II goalkeeper Filippo Di Bennardo, and tapped the ball into the empty net.
TFC II got the equalizer right before halftime from Raheem Edwards. Mo Babouli played a through ball into the box for Edwards and the TFC II midfielder took one touch before chipping the ball past Roma’s goalkeeper.
In the second half Head Coach Jason Bent subbed his entire lineup with the exception of Sal Bernal, starting Marcus Godinho, Emeka Ononye, Robert Boskovic, Mark-Anthony Kaye, Liam Fraser, Anthony Osorio, Massimo Mirabelli, Edwin Rivas, Jordan Hamilton, and the youngest Red on the pitch, 16-year-old goalkeeper Brogan Engbers.
Bernal was later subbed for Marcos Nunes and the substitute had a huge impact, putting your Reds up in the 80th minute. Edwin Rivas found an open Nunes and he made no mistake, placing a right-footed shot towards the far post, beating Roma Primavera’s goalkeeper.
AS Roma Primavera responded a few minutes later as midfielder Conor Borg tied the match up in the 85th minute.
As the match was a friendly, both clubs agreed that if the game ended tied in regulation that they would go into penalty kicks.
As Roma Primavera ultimately prevailed in penalties, defeating your Reds 5-3 in the shootout. TFC II’s Mo Babouli was unlucky on his penalty, striking the wrong end of both posts after beating the Roma goalkeeper.
GOALSCORERS – Edoardo Soleri (Goal – 45’), Raheem Edwards (Goal – 46’), Marcos Nunes (Goal – 80’), Conor Borg (Goal – 85’)
Toronto FC II – Phil Di Bennardo (Brogan Engbers 45’); Gabriel Boakye, Skylar Thomas © (Emeka Ononye 45’), Adam Bouchard (Robert Boskovic 45’), Mark Serjeant (Mark-Anthony Kaye 45’); Luca Uccello (Liam Fraser 45’), Manuel Aparicio (Anthony Osorio 45’), Malik Johnson (Massimo Mirabelli 45’) (Mo Babouli 79’), Raheem Edwards (Edwin Rivas 45’), Sal Bernal (Marcos Nunes 61’), Mo Babouli (Jordan Hamilton 45’)
HEAD COACH: Jason Bent
AS Roma Primavera – Lorenzo Crisanto; Niccolo Tofanari, Eros De Santis (Antonio D’alena 83’), Andrea Paolelli, Riccardo Marchizza; Lorenzo Vasco (Conor Borg 65’), Emanuele Ndoj (Emanuele Spinozzi 79’), Christian D’urso (Filippo Franchi 73’); Edoardo Soleri, Francesco Di Nolfo (Alessandro Bordin 56’), Francesco Di Mariano
SUBSTITUTES: Andrea Romagnoli
HEAD COACH: Alberto De Rossi
BOOKED:
YC ASR – Edoardo Soleri (90’)
