Toronto FC Academy’s senior team is waiting to find out who they will face in the first round of the Canadian Soccer League Playoffs. The first game is scheduled to be played on either October 12th or 13th and the return leg will be on October 16th at locations yet to be determined.
The final matches of the CSL season will be played this week, but TFC Academy wrapped up their regular season schedule with a 1-0 defeat to league leaders York Region Shooters on Sunday.
Toronto FC started the match well as Sergio Camargo crossed a ball to the back post for Keith Makubuya but his header hit the crossbar in only the 2nd minute of play, however the linesman raised his flag for offside which would have ruled out the effort.
York Region began to control the first half and really dictated play without really creating many goal scoring chances. In the 20th minute, midfielder Alex Trujillo struck a hard shot from distance that Angelo Cavaluzzo held on to. Shortly thereafter, it was Trujillo once again who capitalized on a weak clearance from TFC defender Dino Gardner and unleashed an unstoppable low drive to the far post that beat the outstretched Cavaluzzo in goal for the 1-0 lead.
TFC Academy tried to get things going and it was Ashtone Morgan who continuously got forward on the left flank and delivered a cut back pass to Kevan Aleman, but his first time strike missed Camilo Benzi’s near post to preserve York Regions 1-0 lead at halftime.
After the interval TFC had more spirit and energy about them and started to pressurize the opposition players deep in their half of the field. In the 60th minute a left wing cross into the box was headed by Keith Makubuya and dropped favorably for Jonathan Lao but his first time volley from around the penalty spot missed the target.
York Region Shooters continued to be resolute in defence and limited the opportunities for TFC Academy. Kevan Aleman tried his luck in the 86th min with a left footed shot from just outside the box and then it was Dino Gardner in the 90th minute striking a dipping volley that went just over the bar. At the opposite end of the pitch Angelo Cavaluzzo was called into action as Mohamed Mahmoud Habib hit a long range shot that forced Cavaluzzo to tip the ball over the bar; and Jason De Thomasis also went close with a shot from 30 yards that hit the crossbar. The game finished 1-0 in favor of the visitors which ended the regular season for the Reds.
“For the second time this season we have failed to break down a York Region Shooters side that is well organized and full of experience,” said Academy Senior Team Head Coach Jason Bent.
“The way they approach the game is similar to that of my team except they are far more experienced. They have been the most consistent team all season and it is not a surprise that they are top of the league. We have had a good season and I am proud of my players and although we failed to win the regular season we now have an opportunity to do something in the post season.”
“In the end, we are three results away from an appearance in the Championship Final and our focus shifts now to the first leg of the Playoffs. Our goal at the beginning of the season was to finish with more points than last year and make the playoffs, both of which we have accomplished. We enter the knockout phase now where anything can happen and our desire to win is as strong as ever.”
