Toronto FC II’s winless streak reaches 7 in defeat to North Texas

Toronto FC fell to league-leaders North Texas SC on Sunday evening, extending their winless streak to seven games.

The Young Reds appeared to have the upper hand in the early part of the game, coming close to scoring on multiple occasions. First, in the 9th minute, Tsubasa Endoh beat a defender to the ball following a corner kick and fired a shot at North Texas goalkeeper Jimmy Maurer. Maurer turned it away, keeping the game scoreless.

Endoh was involved again three minutes later, crossing the ball to the back post. Matthew Srbely got his head on the ball, but his effort found the crossbar and stayed out. The early onslaught continued in the 19th minute, as Luca Petrasso curled another dangerous cross into the box, however, Jordan Perruzza could only send it just wide of the far post.

North Texas had their two best chances of the first half right at the end, but Toronto FC II goalkeeper Eric Klenofsky came up huge with a pair of big saves. First, he stopped Richard Danso at the near post, before turning away Golden Boot leader Ronaldo Damus moments later.

Klenofsky would again deny Damus in the 52nd minute, but North Texas finally found their breakthrough in the 73rd minute.

After Patrick Bunk-Anderson brought down Jorge Almaguer in the 72nd minute, Arturo Rodriguez stepped up and calmly put away the penalty to open the scoring.

Klenofsky kept bailing out his defenders, including with this incredible save, but in the 83rd minute, the hosts put the game to bed.

After running onto a long pass from midfield, Bryan Reynolds played a low cross to Ronaldo Damus, who finally found the back of the net after being denied multiple times previously.

Full highlights of the match are here:

With the loss, Toronto FC II’s winless streak has reached seven games. They haven’t picked up three points since a 3-0 win over South Georgia Tormenta FC on July 12.

They’ll try to get out of the rut they’re stuck in on Friday, September 6 when they host Chattanooga Red Wolves SC. Kickoff from the BMO Training Ground. Kickoff is set for 4 p.m. EST.