2018 TFC II & TFC Academy Discussion

[notthesun]

Surprise! TFC II kicks off their 2018 USL season tomorrow at 1pm at NYRB II, so it's time for a new thread.

TFC II Ticket Giveaway Thread: http://forums.redpatchboys.ca/showth...read&p=1862620

2018 brings some changes for TFC II as they enter their 4th season in USL. Most significant is TFC Academy Director Laurent Guyot now also assuming the head coaching position for TFC II, as Jason Bent has moved up to join the first team as an assistant. TFC II has also left Vaughan and the Ontario Soccer Centre, as this season - besides a few games in Rochester - their home games will be played at BMO Field and Lamport Stadium, perhaps allowing TFC management to keep a bit of a closer eye on the kids. The downtown locations should also help TFC II on the attendance front, as last year TFC II did decently compared to other MLS feeder clubs, but still on the low end of league-wide attendance.

USL has six new teams this season: Atlanta United 2, Fresno FC, Las Vegas Lights FC, Nashville SC, plus Indy Eleven and North Carolina FC, both moving over from NASL. TFC II and Ottawa Fury are the sole remaining Canadian USL clubs, with Vancouver Whitecaps 2 folding, and FC Montreal having folded prior to last season.

Last season saw TFC II finish last in the Eastern Conference, with 25 points, a similar PPG rate as in their previous seasons. Seeing success with a developmental side in a league with many fully professional teams is always tough, but it can be done. NYRB II finished top of the table and won the 2016 USL playoffs, Swope Park Rangers (Sporting KC) have lost in the USL playoff finals two years running, and Real Monarchs (Real Salt Lake) finished top of the table last year. It should be noted many other MLS feeder clubs have a lot more 22-25 year old players than TFC II, who have mostly trended towards 18-21 year olds, but nevertheless Guyot and the rest of TFC management certainly would like to pull the Young Reds out of the USL basement.

Now for a best guess look at the TFC II squad:



As usual I would expect some spot appearances from TFC senior team players (besides Akinola and Fraser who I expect to be loaned down fairly regularly), as well as call ups from League1 Ontario's TFC III (look out for Terique Mohammed, who may get a chance if TFC II needs LB help), but this should be the "core" group of USL players.

Players I'm personally going to be keeping an eye on:

- Liam Fraser (20, DM): I wouldn't even mention him here if Bradley weren't such a machine, because otherwise he'd be sticking with and getting decent minutes on the first team. Instead he'll probably only get to play with TFC proper when Bradley needs rest (never), is injured (almost never), or suspended (rarely). So expect Fraser to see some time with TFC II. By his own description, Fraser is a Bradley/Cheyrou hybrid of a defensive midfielder who likes to play simple and values his passing range. Look for him to be a leader on the pitch whenever he is with the squad.

- Ayo Akinola (18, ST): Another senior team player I expect to get a lot of USL minutes, because I just can't see how he'll get ahead of all the competition at the striker position on the senior roster. Akinola is one of the most exciting TFC prospects to come through the academy and probably the highest-ceiling striker. Dribbling with speed is his biggest weapon, and Akinola scored goals by the bucket load with the U17 US national team. He was signed to a Homegrown contract with TFC in a bit of a surprise move, as there was a fair amount of speculation that he would leave for Europe instead.

- Shaan Hundal (18, ST): No slouch himself, Hundal has led TFC II in scoring two years running, with 6 goals in 2016 and 7 goals in 2017. Ben Spencer and Jordan Hamilton could see some USL action, but with less competition at striker this season, Hundal should see his most minutes in a season yet. A strong season from Hundal would put him in line for TFC's next Homegrown signing.

- Noble Okello (17, DM): When Fraser isn't with the team, the defensive midfield spot is Okello's. Okello is simply massive at 6'4, and with some of the longest legs you'll ever see, he lives for tackles and interceptions in the middle of the pitch.

- Julian Dunn (17, CB): Dunn signed with TFC II from TFC III during last season and went on to play 1088 minutes as a 16 year old. It's been a little while since the academy has produced a legit CB prospect, so Dunn is a welcome addition.

- Rocco Romeo (17, CB): Also signed with TFC II last season from the academy. Romeo has been talked about as a promising CB in TFC's system for a while, and this season he and Dunn should have the opportunity to get a lot of minutes and potentially lock down starting roles.