April 17, 2018 USL Toronto FC II--Toronto FC II vs North Carolina FC preview (from northcarolinafc.com)
North Carolina FC Travels North for Midweek Match at Toronto FC II By NCFC Communications, 04/17/18, 3:15PM EDT MATCHDAY INFO: TORONTO FC II VS NORTH CAROLINA FC BMO FIELD 8 PM ET DIGITAL: ESPN+ LIVE UPDATES: @NORTHCAROLINAFC #TORvNC CARY, N.C. (April 17, 2018)- North Carolina FC will continue its road swing with a visit to Toronto FC II on Wednesday, April 18 at BMO Field at 8 p.m. ET. The match will be the first ever meeting between the sides and will be broadcast live on ESPN+, the USL’s new home for digital broadcasts. North Carolina FC enters the match on a high note after defeating in-state rival Charlotte Independence 2-0. The win marked the team’s first victory of the season and third straight over Charlotte in an official match. The team will look to carry that momentum through a tough road swing that also includes a match against Ottawa Fury FC just four days after facing Toronto. Conversely, Toronto enters the contest on a three-match losing streak. The side has scored just once in its three losses and is looking to quickly make up points in the table. Toronto has one of the youngest squads in the league with no players over 25 years old and nine under 20 years old. Toronto and NCFC have faced one common opponent this season, as Charlotte defeated Toronto 2-0. The match will be a homecoming of sorts for Kyle Bekker, who hails from Oakville, Ontario – located just about 30 minutes outside of Toronto. Bekker began his professional career with Toronto FC of MLS in 2013 after being drafted third overall in the MLS Superdraft. The Canadian international made 29 league appearances with Toronto FC from 2013-14 before being traded to FC Dallas. Last Time Out: North Carolina FC got the result it was looking for last Saturday with a resounding 2-0 rivalry victory over the Charlotte Independence. In a thrilling end-to-end match, NCFC converted its chances with goals from Daniel Rios and Marios Lomis. The club’s memorable night was highlighted with the victory in front of a near sellout crowd, featuring a large contingent of traveling NCFC fans. Players To Watch: No. 50 Matthew Srbely Srbely is a dangerous midfield option for Toronto and the club’s lone goal scorer for the 2018 season so far. Srbely is just 19 years old and signed his first professional deal with the club in 2017 as a Toronto FC Academy product. After making four appearances in 2017, he has already played in all three contests for Toronto this season. No. 98 Futty Danso Danso will likely be the oldest player on the pitch on Wednesday night. The 34-year-old center back is at least 10 years older than all but one player for Toronto FC II. Danso has been a rock on the backline for NCFC this season. He’s played every minute of every game and most recently helped the squad earn a shutout in the team’s win over Charlotte. Danso also found his way into the attack last match, which saw his bicycle kick hit the crossbar and fall to Marios Lomis for the second and final goal for NCFC. Look for Danso’s experience to shine as he takes on a much younger squad from Toronto. Coming Up Next: North Carolina FC will continue its Canadian road trip with a visit to Ottawa Fury FC on Saturday, April 21 at 2 p.m. ET at TD Place, reigniting another past rivalry. NCFC will return home next weekend and host Penn FC on Saturday, April 28 at 7 p.m. at Sahlen’s Stadium at WakeMed Soccer Park.
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