Toronto FC II had every reason to be optimistic going into Friday’s game with Richmond. They were halfway through a five-game home stand and unbeaten in seven at the BTG. What’s more, the Kickers had been an even paler imitation of their former selves than usual in recent weeks.

Only last week, Richmond were riding a six-week scoreless run and eight-game winless run before scraping a 1-0 win at home to Orlando City B. Besides being the only team worse than the Kickers, OCB ended said game with nine men. Feisty kittens indeed.

Further fueling expectations for this fixture was the suspension of Richmond’s first-choice goalkeeper Akira Fitzgerald, the main reason their goal difference isn’t into double digits. What could possibly go wrong?

And if the final score weren’t befuddling enough, the Kickers came from behind to win this. The pre-match teamsheet threw an early curveball in the form of Jordan Perruzza’s name in the Subs column. Taking his place up top was, of all people, Ayo Akinola.

With Punter of Panama™ Terrence Boyd reportedly booked on a flight out of Pearson in the near future, it’s hard to imagine Vanney’s giving him back long-term.Best guess is it’s a move to get the boy back into shape ahead of the Voyageurs Cup semis with Ottawa.

After all, he’s scarcely kicked a ball since late May, when he picked up that injury that ruled him out of the U20 World Cup. Unfortunately, he was visibly rusty.

Not to suggest he missed any sitters or whatnot. His best chance hit the post, and the few crosses that found his head bounced well clear. Meanwhile, many more attempted crosses either went sailing overhead or were deflected by Richmond centre-backs.

Quite why the team decided serving aerial balls to a 5’8” forward flanked by two Kickers (measuring 6’0″ and 6’3″) was their road to salvation is another question entirely.

Felt like lingering hangover from the play style that worked so well with Shaffelburg. That is, having a central midfielder ping a ball to an advancing winger who’ll then ping back into the 18.Granted, the ‘Pass to Shaff’ formula may start to work again once Griff Dorsey – who played his third straight game at right-back – is free to play further up.

In the meantime, Rabasca could possibly help by not rehashing some of the old habits that dogged past TFC II squads, like playing ‘goalkeeper roulette’. After a game-saving performance that included a Save of the Week nomination versus Lansing, FC Zurich loanee Yann Fillion was rewarded with a seat on the bench.

In fairness, the L’Impact academy grad has been notoriously fragile, and took a nasty hit in the dying minutes of the Lansing game, so this may’ve been precautionary. Whatever the case, with Kevin Silva now back in Edinburgh, 6’6” Eric Klenofsky took the field for the first time since April 6th. The position should now be Fillion’s to lose.

In his defence, Richmond’s go-ahead goal came about from the rebound of a penalty kick he saved. However, the 35th-minute equalizer was a royal clanger on Klenofsky’s part. When a Kicker punted a free-kick from thirty-odd yards out, a routine catch became a goal as he fumbled into his own net. Keepers have come back from worse, but Massimo Taibi never did.

One place almost certainly up for grabs against Madison next Friday is Adolfo Ovalle’s spot at defensive midfielder. Having not missed a game this season, he all but guaranteed himself a week off by overturning a Kicker after a turnover for his fifth yellow card.

If Rabasca sticks to script, chances are Gideon “Mr. Utility” Waja will fill in, but there’s an outside chance of Mehdi Essoussi getting his first career start.

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Gwyn Richards An Englishman with no worldly connection to Canada. Descended from a long line of Queens Park Rangers fans but whose own interest in European football was killed by Florentino Pérez's credit card. Was indoctrinated into Toronto FC fandom at the hands of some irresponsible podcasters. "Professional football is philanthropy on a grand scale." -David Dome, New Zealand soccer executive

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