Second-half surge helps Tormenta past Tucson; Toronto continues unbeaten start with win over Lansing 

TUCSON, Ariz. - A strong second half helped Tormenta FC close out its four-game road stretch with a 2-0 win over FC Tucson at Kino Sports Complex. The two sides spent the first 45 minutes feeling each other out with Marco Micaletto creating the best chance of the half. Micaletto created space for himself on the edge of the 18-yard box before curling a shot that looked destined for the top corner of the far post, but Tucson goalkeeper Philip Ejimadu made the save at full stretch, palming the ball away to safety. Tormenta continued to press for an opening goal after the halftime break. Nil Vinyals pinged the ball off the crossbar from a free kick early on in the second half before Lucas Coutinho broke the deadlock in the 63rd minute. Coutinho received a pass on the left side of the penalty area and smashed a left-footed shot past Ejimadu to put the visitors in front. FC Tucson created two quality chances to equalize in the final 20 minutes of the match that forced goalkeeper Pablo Jara into action. Jara made impressive reflex saves on both, preserving his league-leading third clean sheet of the season. Conner Antley secured the three points in second half stoppage time finishing on an open net as FC Tucson threw everyone including Ejimadu forward.

USLLeagueOne.com Man of the Match

Joshua Phelps, Tormenta FC - Phelps led the way for Tormenta at the back, winning 5 of 7 duels, completing 94% of his passes, and limiting a potent Tucson attack to just four shots on the night.

LANSING, Mich. - Lansing Ignite were held scoreless for the first time this season as Toronto FC II earned its second clean sheet in three matches in a 2-0 victory at Cooley Law School Stadium. Luca Petrasso opened the scoring early, beating goalkeeper Mike Kirk at the near post from a free kick off the left side of the 18-yard box in the 11th minute. Robinson Moshobane had chances to level the score on either side of halftime, first ringing the ball off the crossbar from a free kick, then having a looping effort cleared off the line at the last moment by Julian Dunn-Johnson. The Ignite continued to press for an equalizer, dominating possession throughout the second half. A quality chance fell to the feet of Xavier Gomez in the 82nd minute, but the midfielder’s left footed strike rolled wide of the far post. Toronto took advantage of Lansing’s missed opportunity, and doubled its lead minutes later from the penalty spot. After a handball in the box, Adolfo Ovalle calmly converted the penalty kick, sending Kirk the wrong way and securing victory for the visitors. The win preserves TFC II’s unbeaten start to the 2019 season while Lansing is stung with its first home loss.       

USLLeagueOne.com Man of the Match

Caleb Patterson-Sewell, Toronto FC II - Patterson-Sewell kept his second clean sheet of the season against one of the league’s best attacks in a match in which the opponent held a 13-9 shot advantage. Patterson-Swell commanded his penalty area well throughout the night, making three saves.