Toronto FC II 2020 Season in USL League One

[Rocket Robin]

My very early preview (January 15th) of Toronto FC II's 2020 season in USL League One:

http://www.rocketrobinsoccerintoronto.com/reports20/20tfc201.htm

[Rocket Robin]

July 6, 2014 first year of League 1 Ontario game between TFC Academy and Woodbridge Strikers and a key photo in my report http://www.rocketrobinsoccerintoronto.com/reports14/14l1o044.htmHalftime subs Mo Babouli, Mark-Anthony Kaye and Chris Mannella coming into the game with PA guy Anthony Totella (now a motivational speaker for the CPL). Page down to the bottom for photos. Mannella and Babouli now linked to York 9 FC Note the captain of TFCA was defender Mateo Restrepo now being talked about as a possible signing for a CPL team.

[Initial B]

It's fun looking back and seeing how players have developed over the past couple of years. And it's amazing that you have been doing it for so long. Thanks for all your hard work!

[Rocket Robin]

Third day in a row that TFC sign a player from their own academy/TFC II
Monday with 19 year old defender Rocco Romeo.
Tuesday with 15 year old midfielder Jahkeele Marshall-Ruddy.
Wednesday with 17 year old midfielder Jayden Nelson.

Taking the place of some older Canadians Jordan Hamilton, Jay Chapman, and Ashtone Morgan with the last year.

[OgtheDim]

RR with the reality check.... :canada:

[Rocket Robin]

The week before these three signings, 17 year old forward Jacen Russell-Rowe chose the NCAA route with him attending U of Maryland Terrapins.

[Red CB Toronto]

The week before these three signings, 17 year old forward Jacen Russell-Rowe chose the NCAA route with him attending U of Maryland Terrapins.

He is a home grown player for the Reds and if he continues his development to the Reds liking at Maryland he will be able to sign with them down the line.

[ensco]

The week before these three signings, 17 year old forward Jacen Russell-Rowe chose the NCAA route with him attending U of Maryland Terrapins.

I wish they would all do this. Good for him!

[Red CB Toronto]

I wish they would all do this. Good for him!

It's kind of similar to junior hockey in that is a big decision to attend an OHL training camp especially if you are a later round pick because it takes away your NCAA option. Parent (s) play a big part in this. I remember growing up in North Toronto knowing a number of people that shied away from major junior because of it. This home grown component in the MLS has changed the landscape, 5-10 years ago the scholarship was still the major goal for an elite soccer player in this country, but now the dream vs reality has changed, the waters are much murkier.

[OgtheDim]

https://twitter.com/plattoli/status/1221900474766413824

[Ultra & Proud]

https://twitter.com/plattoli/status/1221900474766413824
I like this appointment. Munoz did some good work in LA. Presumably in RSL too but I never really notice anything about them.

[El Diego]

I wonder what the plan is with Jordan Perruzza. He's a smart player who has produced at this level, but younger guys who are probably more coveted are getting the senior deals. I really like him, but it's fair to wonder how his game will translate to the next level. It wasn't that long ago that I thought he was significantly better than a guy like Theo Bair who is on a real upward trajectory now.

[Rocket Robin]

https://cdn-uploads.canpl.ca/app/uploads/york/2020/04/27083552/Halley-Twitter.jpg
https://york9fc.canpl.ca/ijah-halley-makes-switch-from-toronto-fc-academy-to-york9-fc


Hey! I can probably tell those other pundits I saw him first! He's on the wing (sixth blurry picture down) in TFC U18-19 game last season against Vardar (Michigan) http://.htmrocketrobinsoccerintoronto.com/reports19/19tfc213.htmc213. (https://t.co/Uh6at0CpnF?amp=1)

[Rocket Robin]

https://cdn.canpl.ca/app/uploads/cpl/2020/05/13085152/julian-altobelli.jpg

https://canpl.ca/article/york9-fc-signs-canadian-under-17-international-julian-altobelli

York 9 FC sign another player from the TFC Academy.

[Rocket Robin]

USL League One posted a statement that they will restart on July 18th.

https://www.uslsoccer.com/news_article/show/1108208

Reads very America-centric. I can't see any games in Toronto. League e-mail come from Tampa so likely they will play in Florida. There are only 12 teams so should be easier to schedule than MLS.

[rydermike]

USL League One posted a statement that they will restart on July 18th.

https://www.uslsoccer.com/news_article/show/1108208

Reads very America-centric. I can't see any games in Toronto. League e-mail come from Tampa so likely they will play in Florida. There are only 12 teams so should be easier to schedule than MLS.

I thought it would be cancelled for sure. I don't know anything about the reality of USL1, but what are salaries like in USL League 1 (Tier 3 league)? They can't be that high (ie. must be pretty well below MLS level). I'm sure many of them are either very young players (the MLS B teams) or guys with second jobs (the other teams). That latter group won't really be able to afford living away from their home city and their second job, especially if there's a paycut like MLS had.

The USL Championship is asking for a $20,000 minimum salary. So, L1 is probably even lower.
https://www.frontrowsoccer.com/2020/05/19/counter-proposal-usl-players-association-throws-it-back-to-the-league/

[Rocket Robin]

I expect TFC guys on this team are either on MLS contracts or USL contracts but TFC and the other MLS 2 team owners have deep pockets so it's the indy teams that would have problems.

[rydermike]

I expect TFC guys on this team are either on MLS contracts or USL contracts but TFC and the other MLS 2 team owners have deep pockets so it's the indy teams that would have problems.

Yeah, its those teams I was thinking about. 5 of the 12 teams are independent. I can forsee some of those teams going on"hiatus". Many USL-L2 teams did that before the whole USL-L2 shut down for the year (USL-L2 is semi-pro, so slightly different)

[Rocket Robin]

https://www.uslleagueone.com/news_article/show/1111806 July 2nd, 2020

USL League One announced their schedule. 12 teams. Play one team ("regional rival") four times, one team 0 times, seven teams twice, two teams once each. 20 game season. Regular season between July 18th to October 24th One game final October 31st between first and second place team.

To 'cut travel expenses' TFC II's regional rival is new boys New England Revolution II and their omitted team is South Georgia (by geography it should be Tucson Arizona) and Orlando and Fort Lauderdale are further south than Georgia but...

Sounds like the teams will play 'home' games in their own cities. Hmm Florida and Texas teams are in this league. I wonder if there will be trouble at the airport with any team (all the teams except TFC II are in the US).

I also wonder if the TFC training ground in Downsview will be used. With their usual crowds from last year of about 150, the fans could certainly social distance easily enough but we'll probably be banned.

The dates the teams will play will be announced shortly.

[Rocket Robin]

Well here's our answer. TFC II won't be playing in USL Division One this season.
https://www.torontofc.ca/post/2020/07/08/toronto-fc-ii-withdraws-2020-usl-league-one-season

[Rocket Robin]

TFC II loans out two non-Canadian players to American USL teams: These players are signed to TFC (MLS) contracts:
Goalie Eric Klenofsky
https://www.torontofc.ca/post/2020/09/02/toronto-fc-ii-loan-eric-klenofsky-tacoma-defiance (https://www.torontofc.ca/post/2020/09/02/toronto-fc-ii-loan-eric-klenofsky-tacoma-defiance) USL Championship level
midfielder
https://www.torontofc.ca/post/2020/09/02/toronto-fc-ii-loan-adolfo-ovalle-forward-madison-fc USL League One (same level as TFC II)
Unlike the Canadians loaned to Canadian Premier League teams, these players are going to American teams. My idea is they will be in the USA so when Toronto FC starts playing US MLS teams, they can be called up to whatever US city TFC is stationed in. Remember larger rosters so they at least can be on the bench.

[Red CB Toronto]

TFC II loans out two non-Canadian players to American USL teams: These players are signed to TFC (MLS) contracts:
Goalie Eric Klenofsky
https://www.torontofc.ca/post/2020/09/02/toronto-fc-ii-loan-eric-klenofsky-tacoma-defiance (https://www.torontofc.ca/post/2020/09/02/toronto-fc-ii-loan-eric-klenofsky-tacoma-defiance) USL Championship level
midfielder
https://www.torontofc.ca/post/2020/09/02/toronto-fc-ii-loan-adolfo-ovalle-forward-madison-fc USL League One (same level as TFC II)
Unlike the Canadians loaned to Canadian Premier League teams, these players are going to American teams. My idea is they will be in the USA so when Toronto FC starts playing US MLS teams, they can be called up to whatever US city TFC is stationed in. Remember larger rosters so they at least can be on the bench.

Neither of these players are on MLS contracts, just USL ones. Another GK from TFCII Kevin Silva was signed to a first team contract ie an MLS one in July and currently serves as their third string keeper. Interesting that the Tacoma Defiance is the Sounders reserve team.

Here is an article from the Wisconsin State Journal on the Ovalle loan.

https://madison.com/wsj/sports/soccer/forward-madison-fc-signs-midfielder-adolfo-ovalle-on-loan-from-toronto-fc-ii/article_6451bbb6-67a3-571e-95c6-be921a824431.html?utm_source=twitter.com&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=sports