Toronto 0, Richmond 0

MATCH REPORT

TORONTO, Canada – (Wednesday, May 24, 2017) – The Richmond Kickers (2-4-4) took another point on the road after a 0-0 draw at Toronto FC II (1-5-4) Wednesday afternoon. The Kickers unbeaten streak extends to four league matches with the draw. 

Richmond’s first tried to create a chance in the 6th minute. Samuel Asante won the ball just outside the Toronto box. Asante tried to get through three Toronto defenders and was slightly clipped as he was making his run and lost possession for Mark Pais to pick up. 

Toronto created their first opportunity in the 23rd minute. Luis Pereira won the ball from Alex Lee inside the Toronto end of the field. He drove up the field and fed the ball through to Shaan Hundal. Matt Turner came off his line and slide in to make the stop before Hundal was able to create a shot. 

The best chance for the Kickers came in the 28th minute. Raul Gonzalez won the ball on the wing and made a break up the field. Luis Pereira slide in and clipped Gonzalez, earning a yellow card for the tackle and setting up a Richmond free kick. Gonzalez stepped up to take the free kick and connected with Oliver Minatel at the top of the six-yard box. His header was on frame as Pais quickly dove to his right to make the save on the goal line, preventing the scoring opportunity.

Luca Uccello stepped up for a free kick chance in the 30th minute for Toronto. Hundal was looking to create a chance coming towards the Richmond box as Conor Shanosky stepped up to make a stop, but instead drew a foul and a yellow card. Uccello looked to put his free kick towards the back post from about 30 yards out. Turner was able to come off his line and punch the ball away before any Toronto player could get on it. 

Oliver would get another chance for the Kickers in the 30th minute. Braeden Troyer played the ball up the sideline where Samuel Asante was making a run. Asante would get to the endline playing a cross into the near post and find Oliver as his header was sent wide of the goal. 

Richmond continued to look towards goal as Raul Gonzalez would get an opportunity in the 33rd minute. Asante broke away from his defender inside the center circle and played the ball over the top to find Gonzalez on the edge of the Toronto box. He turned inside to get away from his defender a put a left-footed effort on frame as curls into the hands of Pais. 

Three minutes later, it was Richmond once again on the attack. Chris Durkin played the ball out wide on the right to Alex Lee. Lee played a cross into the far post and found Minutillo amongst three defenders as he was still able to get a head to the ball, but his shot was sent wide of goal. 

Richmond would get one more chance before the end of the half in the 40th minute. Brandon Aubrey was looking to play the ball out of danger for Toronto as Durkin came in to get a foot to the ball and found Gonzalez. He took a couple of steps and set up a shot to the right and Pais was forced to dive and make the fingertip save.

The Kickers continued to look for a goal right after the halftime break in the 46th minute. Alex Lee played the ball through to Yudai Imura on the right-hand side of the Toronto box. Imura then played the ball back to Gonzalez right at the top of the box and he played a cross in towards the near post. Pais came off his line to meet the pass before Oliver would be able to get a head on the ball. 

Mikey Minutillo nearly scored his first goal for Richmond just two minutes later. Samuel Asante fought off his defender at the top of the Toronto box and played the ball out wide to the right to Lee. After taking a step Lee sent in a cross to the far post and found Minutillo. Brandon Onkony was defending Minutillo tight and he was only able to get a slight touch to the ball that was sent just inches wide of the far post.

The home side tried to create a chance on goal in the 54th minute. Brian James slot the ball through to Luca Uccello inside the Kickers box. Unable to turn towards goal, Uccello backheeled a pass to Hundal as he was making a run into the box. His shot would end up going high and out of danger. 

Toronto would be brought down to ten players in the 60th minute. Anthony Osorio came into the game in the 59th minute to replace Aikim Andrews. Less than a minute after entering the match, Osorio would get tangled up with Alex Lee as he was able to defend the ball away for Oliver. Osorio would follow up the play with violent conduct forcing the referee Silviu Petrescu to show the straight red card.

Even with the man advantage for the final 30 minutes, Richmond could not capitalize to find the go-ahead goal. Minutillo would take the best chance in the 77th minute. Fred Owusu Sekyere played a cross in to find Imura at the far side of the Toronto box. He played a low cross in to Mintuillo. He took a touch and turned towards goal and it would be saved by Pais. 

Richmond will conclude their road trip Saturday as they travel to take on Ottawa Fury FC Saturday, May 27 at 2pm. This match will be shown live on the main CBS 6 channel in the Richmond metro area (Comcast 9 and 212, Verizon FiOS 6 and 506, and DirecTV 6). It will also be streamed live on the USL Matchcenter at USLsoccer.com/match-center. The Kickers return to City Stadium to host the defending USL Cup Champions New York Red Bulls II June 3 at 7pm. Tickets are on sale now at www.richmondkickers.com.

Lineups

Toronto: GK Mark Pais, Robert Boskovic (65’ – Malik Johnson), Brandon Aubrey, Brandon Onkony, Brian James, Luca Uccello, Luis Pereira (72’ – Liam Fraser), Ryan Telfer, Jordan McCrary, Aikim Andrews (58’ – Anthony Osorio), Shaan Hundal

Subs Not Used: Angelo Cavalluzzo, Aidan Daniels, Matthew Srbely

Richmond: GK Matt Turner, Braeden Troyer, Conor Shanosky, Mallan Roberts, Chris Durkin, Alex Lee (82’ – Finnlay Wyatt), Samuel Asante (58’ – Fred Owusu Sekyere), Yudai Imura, Raul Gonzalez, Mikey Minutillo, Oliver Minatel (74’ – Sunny Jane)

Subs Not Used: Marcel DeBellis, William Yomby, Evan Lee, Luiz Fernando

Scoring Summary

None.

Cautions

27th minute: Toronto: Luis Pereira

29th minute: Richmond: Conor Shanosky

85th minute: Toronto: Liam Fraser

Ejections

60th minute: Toronto: Anthony Osorio

Referee: Silviu Petrescu

Assistant Referees: Steph Fortin, Fabrizio Stasolla

Fourth Official: Armando Pereira

Attendance: 1074

Weather: Partly Cloudy, 61 ºF