Toronto, On (July 18, 2015) – In their second game in four days, Saint Louis FC defeated Toronto FC II 1-0 thanks to a 39th minute own goal. This snaps a two game losing steak.
With this match, Toronto FC II is now on a three game losing streak with 12 points in 14 matches. Saint Louis FC now has 21 points and is four points out of a playoff spot.
The visitors got out to a hot start to begin the game, possessing the ball and having several good build ups. Goalkeeper Quillan Roberts was tested early and had to be up to the task. In the 11th minute, Nick Bibbs made a run and found Mike Ambersley who flicked the ball passed Roberts towards an empty goal. Defender Skylar Thomas caught up to it and cleared it a couple feet off the goal line.
Toronto responded to this early flurry from Saint Louis, but was unable to mount anything in the first half. Striker Edwin Rivas was unable to connect on the service he was given.
The match began to open up and then Bibbs made another quality overlapping run. He blew by his mark with the ball and delivered a low cross into the box. Charles Renken was making a run near the far post and had an easy tap in, but Toronto’s Marcus Godinho got to it first. The defender’s touch let him down as he deflected it into the back of his own net.
The half would end 1-0 Saint Louis FC.
The second half began as wide open as the first. Things became heated in the 51st minute. There was a confrontation between the two teams during a stoppage in play that resulted in Massimo Mirabelli taking a shot at Bryan Gaul‘s midsection. Gaul went down on the play and was attended to by the trainers. The only card given for the encounter went to Saint Louis FC’s Ambersley.
Bibbs was injured in the 69th minute and was substituted.
Toronto continued to make attacking substitutions and pushed for an equalizer, but the Saint Louis defense was resolute. Sam Fink and James Musa made several excellent defensive plays in the air.
A tired Saint Louis team survived five minutes of stoppage time and escaped with a 1-0 victory. Alec Kann finished with five saves. This is only Saint Louis’s second clean sheet since early May.
Saint Louis FC returns home to face the Oklahoma City Energy on Saturday, July 25. Kickoff is set for 7:30 PM CST.
