Match Information:
MLS NEXT Pro: Matchweek 6
Date: Friday April 18, 2025
Kickoff: 7:00 p.m. ET
Location: York Lions Stadium (Toronto, Ontario)
Watch: MLSNEXTPro.com
SOCIAL TAGS:
Instagram: carolinacorefc
X: TorontoFCII
Instagram: torontofcii
Match Overview
CCFC Record: 1-2-1 (5 points – 11th in East)
TFC Record: 2-2-0 (6 points – 10th in East)
CCFC vs CFC All-Time: 0-1-0 (1 GF, 2 GA)
Carolina Core FC heads up North and will be looking to take all three points away from home when facing Toronto FC II in the two sides’ second-ever matchup of all time. The match will be available to watch on MLSNEXTPro.com, with kickoff set for 7:00 pm ET.
STORYLINES
Rallying Foxes
Carolina Core FC were on the end of a difficult result last time out in a tightly contested matchup against Chattanooga FC. The Foxes fought hard throughout the first half despite conceding an early goal. The Foxes leveled the match through a header from David “Pachi” Polanco. CCFC went into halftime trailing by one goal, but a second yellow card led to the ejection of defender Ibrahim Covi early in the second half and changed the game’s dynamics. Despite being down to 10 men, The Core maintained the majority of possession in the second half with 53%.
CCFC will be eager to return to the pitch against Toronto FC II in hopes of taking their first three points from Toronto. The two sides met only once last season, where Toronto FC II secured a narrow 2-1 victory. The Foxes are looking to shift their momentum and rally for their first away win of the MLS NEXT Pro season.
Player to Watch
Jacob Evans remains a standout player for Carolina Core FC this season. The English midfielder was the architect behind a cross that put David “Pachi” Polanco on the scoresheet against Chattanooga FC. Evans’ assist against Chattanooga means the Englishman has either scored or assisted in every match of the MLS Next Pro season thus far. The captain boasts three goals and one assist in four MLSNP appearances. In addition to being sharp in front of the goal, the midfielder has made 10 key passes in MLSNP, highlighting his consistency following last season’s league-leading total of 78 key passes.
First Home Match for the Hosts
Toronto FC II has started its entire MLS NEXT Pro season on the road, earning two wins and suffering two losses. Most recently, TFCII was able to snatch a late victory against Inter Miami CF II, scoring a goal in the 79th minute through Michael Sullivan, despite only having 34% possession. Toronto FC II hopes to carry that momentum into their first home game of this MLSNP campaign, where they will host Carolina Core FC.
A critical piece of this Toronto FC II squad is 20-year-old goalkeeper Adisa de Rosario, who has worked his way through the Toronto FC Academy. The keeper has made 10 saves this season and has kept clean sheets in both of the away games that TFCII has won this season. Going forward, midfielder Hassan Ayari has recorded seven key passes and assisted TFCII’s goal in their 1-0 victory against FC Cincinnati 2.
