Sebastian Capozucchi said it best this week in an interview with News 12, “Nobody likes losing.” Amid a twelve-game unbeaten run, it seems that the Red Wolves only continue to top themselves. Coming off the result of the season in a 1-0 win against former league leaders Union Omaha, the squad now has a chance to make history Friday night as the first team in the history of USL League One to play thirteen matches without a loss.
The shining run of form from the Red Wolves continues to be spearheaded by Ricky Ruiz, who now stands tall with eleven total goal contributions so far in the 2021 campaign. His strike past Nuhu Saturday night lifted the Red Wolves to victory in the 79th minute, a relatively early goal in relation to the many Cardiac episodes the side has caused. In addition, Tim Trilk’s fantastic form carried into the Omaha match, where he kept a well-deserved first clean sheet of the season.
The Red Wolves on the field performance was only rivaled by the supporters in the stands who have made CHI Memorial Stadium the fortress in USL League One. The 2,149 supporters in attendance Saturday night set an attendance record for the Red Wolves campaign so far and were integral in the late push that resulted in three points for the home side.
Mike Muñoz and Toronto FC II, despite Covid-19 adversity, find themselves in a 7 (SEVEN) team tie for third currently sitting on 24 through 18 matches. In what is seemingly the most competitive league in all of world football, TFC II currently have a +2 GD, scoring 24 goals while conceding 22.
Currently riding a three-game unbeaten streak that has seen the Canadian side pickup 5 points from 9 games, manager Mike Muñoz and his side will be looking to build on a good run of results for the first time in the 2021 campaign. A part of that success falls on the shoulders of Garrett McLaughlin, TFC II’s leading goal scorer who currently sits level with Juan Galindrez at 8 goals.
Toronto’s last run out was at Breese Stevens Field in Wisconsin where the side took on Forward Madison. TFC II came from behind twice, and Kobe Franklin’s 86th minute goal was enough to save a point on the road. Forward Madison peppered the TFC II goal with 17 shots and 9 shots on target, but Andreas Vaikla did well in goal. Toronto was unlucky to not have scored a third, with a shot coming off the woodwork in the match as well.
The Red Wolves travel to Toronto with an away record of 3-3-1, with the home side TFC II having a home record of 4-2-2. Due to Canadian Covid-19 protocols, Toronto has not had a true home field advantage for most of the campaign, but have kept a stellar record, nonetheless.
Both the Red Wolves and Toronto FC II share a similar average possession, with both sides keeping 52% of the ball on average per game. Toronto also holds the title of most big chances created with 27, but have not always been clinical, missing 22 of those chances. The Red Wolves remain one of the only sides to not be awarded a penalty so far in the 2021 campaign, while TFC II have found success drawing 4 penalties in their matches.
The Red Wolves look to break former USL League One side Lansing Ignite FC’s record of twelve straight unbeaten matches. In staying unbeaten for their twelfth straight game, the Red Wolves snapped Union Omaha’s ten game unbeaten run while also moving to the top of the league table.
The Red Wolves look to make history Friday at 4 PM EST when they travel to Toronto to take on Toronto FC II.
