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Toronto, Rochester End All Square

By NICHOLAS MURRAY - nicholas.murray@uslsoccer.com, 04/07/17, 9:29PM EDT

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Game opens up in second half, but ends scoreless


Photo courtesy Martin Bazyl / Toronto FC II

VAUGHAN, Ont. – Toronto FC II and the Rochester Rhinos played to a 0-0 draw on Friday night at the Ontario Soccer Centre in TFC II’s home opener for the 2017 USL regular season. Rochester had the better of the first half overall, but Toronto twice came close to taking the lead as a shot by Jelani Peters was blocked just wide, and the subsequent corner saw Ben Spencer’s flicked header go just wide. The Rhinos hit the crossbar off a set piece of their own, Wal Fall’s header clipping the woodwork before going behind, but the sides went to the break scoreless. Toronto began to get a better foothold in the game after the break, and Sergio Camargo forced a close-range save from Rhinos goalkeeper Tomas Gomez in the 61st minute. Gomez also had to deny Spencer with 18 minutes to go as the hosts looked for the lead, while Rochester’s Joe Farrell had a header from a corner cleared off the line soon after. The Rhinos again went close from a free kick with eight minutes to go when Fall was denied at close range by Toronto’s Angelo Cavaluzzo, but the game ended deadlocked as both teams settled for a point.

Scoring: 
None

Three Things That Matter:

  • 1. Rochester had more possession and chances to capitalize on some poor defensive giveaways by Toronto’s defense in the opening half, but wasn’t quite sharp enough in the final third to make it count. While both Kenardo Forbes and Wal Fall were active, and Forbes almost provided Darius Madison with the chance for his second goal in as many games with an excellent free kick late in the first half, Toronto goalkeeper Angelo Cavaluzzo wasn’t forced into a save until eight minutes to go when he made a standout save to deny Fall.

  • 2. Toronto FC II’s introduction of Sergio Camargo at halftime had the desired effect as the former PDL standout immediately brought productive energy to the side as he began to link play well in midfield. The former K-W United FC midfielder, who signed as a Homegrown Player this offseason, has been solid in general so far this season, and might be in line for his first professional start when Toronto next takes the field against Ottawa.

  • 3. Rochester’s substitutes also had an impact, with Mike Garzi having a good run out in midfield as he attacked down the left and created some openings for the visitors. Both teams will likely be happy to take a point from the contest, though, as Toronto ended a two-game losing streak with a far better performance than in either of its games in Florida, and Rochester remained undefeated in two to start the season.

USLSoccer.com Man of the Match

Sergio Camargo, Toronto FC II – The halftime substitute made a big impact as Toronto took initiative in the second half and came close to edging a victory.  

Upcoming Games:
Toronto FC II
at Ottawa Fury FC – April 22, 2 p.m. ET, TD Place
Rochester Rhinos at Charleston Battery – April 15, 7 p.m. ET, MUSC Health Stadium

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