TORONTO CANADA – If you’re looking for some things to do in Tucson, Arizona, a bike ride on the Taco Tour is an option. It’s exactly what you think – cycling Tucson in search of the best tacos. In Toronto, it’s undoubtedly a lot easier to go to a grocery store to buy some clams and make your own.
While the taco situation is incredibly different in the two cities, they have one thing in common: your two USL League 1 teams aren’t currently in the playoffs. Ten days ago, Tucson FC paid their temporary desert enemy TFC II a visit and gave the Young Reds their first defeat of the season.
Things have not improved much for TFC II since the 2-1 loss at Casa Grande, Arizona. With a heartbreaking draw in the final seconds against North Texas over the weekend and another midweek draw against Union Omaha, the Young Reds are without a win in three games.
Tucson FC, on the flip side, has played one game fewer in the last ten days but is on the rise, coming into the TFC II match with a two-game winning streak. With a win against North Carolina last week, the club will try to please their fans with a double against Toronto on Saturday.
With the local government’s vote to lift all COVID-19 restrictions in Tucson, Saturday’s game will also be the first time Tucson FC play at home with total capacity, compared to the 700 fans admitted to their home opener in May were.
The night is the official “Women’s Soccer Appreciation Night” in the Sports Complex cinema, but it is also a second home opening with full capacity. For Toronto it is the first leg of four games, three of which are “away”.
Toronto FC II fans can watch the game on Saturday at 10:00 PM ET on the USL League 1 YouTube channel.
While TFC II played well on Wednesday, they couldn’t end their time at Casa Grande with a win. However, there were innumerable bright spots against Union Omaha. Toronto’s passing game, including preparation for goal, was superb and created connections across the pitch that any curious fan would enjoy. With their muted success, TFC II ranks fifth in the league with 81% for passing accuracy, and while Tucson leads the league, Toronto is getting better every time.
Despite the mediocre results at the start of the season, a major ray of hope for Toronto was the play of striker Garrett McLaughlin, who was recently nominated for USL League 1 Player of the Month. However, with every game for the Young Reds underway in 2021, it might be time to move on to another option.
The only other committed striker is 16-year-old Hugo Mbongue, the brother of midfielder Ralph Priso. While Mbongue doesn’t have to start a professional game just yet, it has slowly been brought up to the professional level.
“He’s really young but we think he has a lot of advantages and is a future professional,” Mbongue head coach Mike Muñoz said ahead of the season. On Wednesday, Muñoz Mbongue gave his most minutes of the season, bringing the young Canadian into play in the 65th minute. With minutes in every game so far, the youngster could be ready to take off. However, betting the Potential Player of the Month is an extremely difficult task for Muñoz and his staff.
Another player likely to retire is left-back / left winger Themi Antonoglou, who was one of the top players for TFC II in the first five games. After failing to play on Wednesday, he’s rested and ready for the Tucson duel. The combination of him, Luca Petrasso and Kosi Thompson has been fantastic so far and he will try to continue.
Though unlikely, there could also be a stick move as Estonian international Andreas Vaikla has started three games in a row. Veteran Caleb Patterson-Sewell, 34, is on the beach and last met Tucson FC; However, Vaikla was reliable when challenged by his appearances.
The skill that drives Tucson’s game is holding onto the ball when he has it. Although the team coached by John Galas does not often have most of the ball possession, they are single-minded with the ball on their feet and rarely give it away easily. Tucson FC leads the league in passing with 84%, and their game is played by a pair of midfielders.
Although Daniel Bedoya didn’t play against Toronto last time, the 27-year-old Colombian midfielder is one of the best chances in the USL League 1. His passes are progressive and he can spot attackers in the right places.
Charlie Dennis is another international player for Tucson. After establishing himself as a dependable USL player at South Georgia Tormenta, the Englishman was an integral part of Tucson’s midfield. Although his stats don’t burst from the side, he’s constantly present throughout the game.
If Tucson plays on committee, it will depend on how well Toronto can do in the desert heat. Fortunately, it will be one of the last games Toronto will face in the dry southern heat as they compete against teams in wetter, cooler climates.
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