Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC heads north of the border this weekend for a visit to BMO Field against Toronto FC II on Saturday, April 7. The meeting will mark the eighth head-to-head matchup all-time with the Hounds holding a 5-0-2 advantage over The Reds.
The 2018 season has not been kind so far to the Hounds’ counterparts to the north, as Toronto FC II enters Saturday with losses, both on the road, to New York Red Bulls II and the Charlotte Independence. The club was set to play its home opener last weekend against Ottawa Fury FC, but saw the match postponed. Dating back to the 2017 season, Toronto FC has lost four straight regular season matches.
This year’s roster is made up of 11 homegrown players, including midfielder Matthew Srbely. Srebly, a TFC Academy product, has scored the lone goal for Toronto so far this season, his first in USL play, and is tied for the team-lead with three shots on goal.
Strengths
Goalkeeping: TFC Academy product Angelo Cavalluzzo is back in net for Toronto FC II – his third season overall with the club. Registering six clean sheets in 2017, Cavalluzzo has held up well all things considered in his lone start this year allowing only two goals on 32 shots (11 on goal) at New York.
Home field advantage: This weekend marks the club’s official home opener for 2018. Playing at its parent club’s BMO Field for this season, compared to Ontario Soccer Centre in years past, Toronto FC II hopes to replicate its success at home. Last season saw the team register points in nine of 16 ties at home (4-7-5), with wins most notably over reigning league champion Louisville City FC and regular season Eastern Conference runner-up Charleston Battery.
Weaknesses
Shots on net: Despite registering an average of 10.5 shots per game, Toronto FC II has only been able to get six of those shots on net. The club’s shots on goal effort in particular puts Toronto FC II near the bottom of the conference, tying for 12th overall.
Shot suppression: Toronto’s backline has consistently been under fire this season, allowing an average of 20 shots and eight shots on goal per game.
