Vaughan – Round two of the USL's Battle of Ontario lived up to the hype and the Young Reds walked away with an important 1-0 victory on Saturday night.
Both teams spent most the first half feeling each other out. There were little chances for either side. The best opportunity for the Reds came when Ryan Telfer made his way through the box and flicked the ball over the Fury ‘keeper Callum Irving towards Luca Uccello, however, the ball landed just out the midfielders reach.
Reds ‘keeper Mark Pais held the Fury off the board with a great diving stop just before the half time whistle.
The Young Reds found the breakthrough in the 73rd when leading goalscorer Luca Uccello chipped Irving on the counter. Brian James played a perfect ball for Uccello to run onto and his immaculate finish proved to be the winner.
A must watch. 😮😱😵@lucauccello's winner. #TFCLivepic.twitter.com/xHe5fKREWT
— Toronto FC II (@TorontoFCII) July 9, 2017
“ I looked up and saw that goalie out and said you know what why not try something here,” Uccello recalled, ”[and] luckily it went in.”
The Fury made a couple of offensive substitutions in a late attempt to push for the equaliser. They came awfully close in the 85th as a recycled ball in the box was sent just inches wide of Pais’ right post.
Deep into extra time Pais came up with an absolute game-saver. The ‘keeper extended to his left and pushed out a rocket of a shot from the Fury.
As expected in a rivalry match, there were some extracurriculars following the final whistle. Andrae Campbell was shown a red card following the post-match activities.
The Reds will now get nearly a two-week break. Their next match is a road trip to New York to take on the defending USL Cup Champions New York Red Bulls II.
