The Riverhounds started their two-game trip north of the border with a 2-0 victory over Toronto FC II in the first match at their brand new facility, the Ontario Soccer Centre in Vaughan, Ontario.
The new stadium, which seats 2,000, but is planned to be expanded to 5,000 over the next two years, will be home of the Baby Reds as well as a practice facility for their parent MLS club. 867 supporters were present for the opening match.
On the brand-new pitch, the Riverhounds dominated from the get go. The new turf played slowly, with rubber pellets kicking up at every strike, but the Hounds seemed to adapt more quickly than the home side and pushed the advantage early on.
In the ninth minute, Mike Green took a throw in from all the way down the left-handed touchline. Ontario native Miro Cabrilo headed the throw in on to Fejiro Okiomah, who made a touch pass to Kevin Kerr just outside the six-yard box and he drove into the upper 90 past Toronto keeper Alex Bono.
Toronto responded to the Pittsburgh score and ratcheted up the pressure, but the Hounds defense and goalkeeper Calle Brown were up to the task. Danny Earls picked up a yellow card in defense in the 30th minute.
The Riverhounds started out the second half quickly, as well, with Rob Vincent just missing the mark on a great chance in the 51st minute.
A back-and-forth second half tilted in favor of the Reds after a bunch of substitutions. Matt Dallman came on for Stephen Okai in the 65th minute for the Riverhounds. In the 68th minute, Anthony Osorio and Stefan Vukovic came on for Marcos Nunes and Malik Johnson for Toronto. A minute later, Drew Russell replaced Cabrilo for the Hounds.
The fresh legs benefitted the Reds, with Russell picking up a yellow card in the 80th minute, but Toronto was never able to capitalize.
The Riverhounds were able to defend with offense in the waning minutes, as they simply possessed the ball in the Reds end and work the clock.
The Reds were able to secure a corner kick in the 92nd minute and they brought everyone forward, including the goalkeeper Bono. The Riverhounds were able to earn a clearance and Kerr raced off toward the empty Toronto goal.
He chipped it ahead to Anthony Arena, who raced in behind the Reds defense and slotted it into the empty net to give the Riverhounds a decisive 2-0 lead.
The Riverhounds improved to 7-5-4 and now have 25 points, one behind fourth place Richmond with a game in hand. Toronto fell to 3-6-3 with the loss.
The Hounds will wrap up their two-game Canadian trip with a 4:00 kickoff against Montreal FC at Stade Saputo in Montreal, Quebec on Sunday.
Photo credit: TFC II
