TFC II has now played 22 matches so far in their first USL season. The team has gone 5-14-3 and sits second last in the East. Not the best start for a team, but it must be noted that this is a whole different league for many of these players. Only three players have prior USL experience.

That inexperience can only grow to a positive with more match time, which head coach Jason Bent has done countless times. Offering both first team and Academy players minutes.

Going into Saturday’s match against New York Red Bulls II, a team that in the second game of the season they lost 4-1 to, TFC II had to regroup from a 2-0 lost to the hands of the Richmond Kickers.

The match started off well for the young Reds, with chances on goal from left midfielder Raheem Edwards early on being stopped by Red Bulls II keeper Santiago Castano. TFC II started the match pressing hard and making some really nice passes to move the ball into attacking positions. The first half was a very even 45 minutes that saw both sides have plenty of chances on goal. The young Reds even put up eight shots on goal in the first half, something that they haven’t done a whole lot of this season.

When the second half started, thats when the wheels started to come off slowly. Red Bulls II striker Stefano Bonomo opened the match scoring with a 46th minute power header inside the six yard box. That seemed to really add a lot of momentum to the vistors, and saw them pressing really hard at the TFC II players.

The home side were now working hard to find a chance on goal, but offsides really deflated the teams attacking threats. Like they usually do, the refs played a big part in the game. Many times did certain plays go uncalled and others left fans wondering. Both teams seemed to be getting frustrated at the the calls given to them, and in the 73rd minute, TFC II earned a free kick just outside the box. Red Bulls II keeper Castano was not happy with the call, and would kick the ball to the TFC II net, earning himself a yellow.

After all the chaos, the young Reds were unable to to capitalize. Just when you thought luck was maybe going to change for TFC II, the NYRB II were able to score their second goal of the match. In the 76th minute, Reds midfielder Jay Chapman took down a Red Bull II player near the box. Both Chapman and the Red Bull player were on the ground. Red Bulls II striker Stefano Bonomo elected to take a quick free kick and passed it to midfielder Devon Williams who’s strike just went by a stretching Quillan Roberts. Since Bonomo caught everyone off guard, the Red Bulls II were able to capitalize.

After the match, head coach Jason Bent said that his players should’ve reacted quicker and went right in front of the ball, so Bonomo wouldn’t be able to make that pass. A rookie mistake cost the team it’s second straight 2-0 defeat and are now even farther out of the playoff picture.

However, I like to look at positives, and even though they lost, TFC II didn’t have a bad game. The first half was dominated by the young Reds. They had eight shots on goal, and had five on target. Last week, coach Bent mentioned that he wanted to see the team build off their 17 shot performance against the Kickers, and boy did they on Saturday. TFC II finished the match with 12 shots, and six on target. Not bad for a team still trying to find themselves and get comfortable.

One thing you can see from this team, is that after 22 matches played, they really do look more mature playing. They getting more shots off, the defence is communicating and becoming more solid, and players are getting plenty of playing time to grow. That’s all coach Bent and his staff can do. It’s not easy to have a full team of youngsters and expect them to win. The time will come for this team, and with experience, the young Reds can grow into a contender in the USL.