CASA GRANDE, Ariz. - In its first League One match since October 2019, Toronto FC II earned a 2-1 victory over North Texas SC on Saturday night thanks to a pair of goals from Garrett McLaughlin.

After an uneventful opening 45 minutes, the game sparked to life thanks to two penalty kicks in first half stoppage time. McLaughlin put away the first after North Texas' Thibaut Jacquel was ruled to have handled the ball in the box, calmly sending the goalkeeper the wrong way.

But just three minutes later, TFC II gave away a penalty of its own. Jacquel grabbed his chance at immediate redemption by dispatching the spot kick to level the score with the last kick of the first half.

McLaughlin was back at it again to restore Toronto's lead six minutes in to the second period. A pinpoint long diagonal ball from Themi Antonoglou found McLaughlin, who beat the goalkeeper for his second goal on the night.

Though North Texas increased its attacking intent as the match wore on, the TFC II defense held firm, and the Young Reds marked their return to League One play with a hard-fought victory at their temporary Arizona home of Grande Sports World.

The two sides will meet again next weekend at North Texas' home ground of Globe Life Park in Arlington, Texas. Before that though, Toronto FC II will face FC Tucson in a midweek matchup on Wednesday night.

USLLeagueOne.com Man of the Match

Garrett McLaughlin, Toronto FC II - McLaughlin scored both of TFC II's goals to spur the team to a win in its first League One game back since 2019.

Goal Summary

• TOR (45+1') - McLaughlin (first), penalty kick
• NTX (45+4') - Jacquel (third), penalty kick
• TOR (51') - McLaughlin (second), assisted by Antonoglou