Toronto FC II 3-0 New York City FC II 2025 MLS NEXT Pro Regular Season - Matchweek 25 Date: Sunday, August 31, 2025 | Kickoff: 3:05pm ET Location: York Lions Stadium | Toronto, Canada
New York City FC II suffered a 3-0 defeat to Toronto FC II on Sunday. Despite early chances for Elias and Sunjic, Toronto took the lead through Nathaniel Edwards in the 23rd minute. A brace from Markus Cimermancic extended their lead on a difficult day for Matt Pilkington's side.
UP NEXT: The ‘Boys in Blue’ continue on the road to face off against Chicago Fire II at Seat Geek Stadium in Bridgeview, Illinois on Sunday, September 14th at 9:00pm ET.
After today’s 3-0 loss, New York City FC II sits in eighth place in the Eastern Conference with a record of 8-10-6 (W-L-D) and a total of 32 points. This season, New York City FC II has netted 44 goals and has conceded 49 goals.
Through 12 away matches this season, New York City FC II has posted a 2-7-3 record.
In 12 away matches this season, New York City FC II has scored 20 goals and conceded 31.
Today’s match was the third and final meeting this season and the twelfth all-time between New York City FC II and Toronto FC II.
New York City FC II now holds a 6-4-2 (W-L-D) overall record in the series, with 21 goals and 18 goals conceded.
Through three matches played in 2025, New York City II won the season series with a 2-1-0 record (W-L-D).
Through three matches, New York City II scored four goals and conceded three.
The season series opened at Belson Stadium in New York, where New York City FC II earned a 3-0 victory over Toronto FC II.
The second match of the season series took place at Icahn Stadium in New York, where New York City FC II secured a 1-0 victory over Toronto FC II.
Today’s match, the lone meeting at York Lions Stadium in Toronto, saw New York City FC II fall 3-0 to Toronto FC II.
Two of the three encounters resulted in a clean sheet for New York City FC II.
NEW YORK CITY FC II HEAD COACH MATT PILKINGTON
On the team’s takeaways from today’s match and the adjustments needed for the next game… “Ultimately, we missed a few chances early in the first half, which might have changed the outlook of the game against a really strong Toronto FC II side. It was a challenge at times defensively when we don't take our chances, and when we don't defend certain moments. I thought the second and third goal could have been avoided. [There’s work to be done on the] set up defensively, [but there were] also some positives to take from the game. The effort was high, and the boys didn't give up. It's sometimes a challenge to go away from home and I think that we felt that today, but, we will move on and pick ourselves up and go again.”
On keeping goalkeepers prepared when they’re not starting or playing… “The keepers are always ready when called upon. Obviously, [Alex] Rando with the First Team needs minutes, so he comes down to get some. Mac [Learned] and Brennan [Klein], respectively, are competing for time as well. It's all part of their development. They understand that they have to be ready at all times and training is a big part of their development because minutes are not always guaranteed in that position. So, they’ll do extra [training] this week during the international break and be ready to push on.”
NEW YORK CITY FC II DEFENDER CHRIS TIAO
On takeaways from the match and what can the team work on moving forward… “My overall takeaway from the match today was that, while it was an unfortunate result for us, we had a lot of good points to learn and continue to improve on from that game. So, going forward, we’ll use that game as motivation to continue working on the stuff that we need to improve on for the next coming games that we have.”
On the team’s focus and approach heading into the final four games of the season… “We’re going to [address and] start improving on a couple weaknesses. We’re also [still] in the playoff hunt right now, so we all need to be focused and ready to go for the last four games this season. We’re going to keep grinding and try to get better every single day we can.”
23’ - TOR II - Nate Edwards [25]
Scored with right footed shot from the center of the box to the lower right zone. Assisted by Hassan Ayari [81].
47’ - TOR II - Markus Cimermancic [71]
Scored with left footed shot from the center of the box to the bottom right corner. Assisted by Lazar Stefanović [76].
68’ - TOR II - Markus Cimermancic [71]
Scored with left footed shot from the center of the box to the bottom right corner. Assisted by Lucas Olguin [68].
New York City FC II were back in action on Sunday as they traveled north to face Toronto FC II.
Matt Pilkington’s side entered the clash fresh off a 3-1 win against Columbus Crew 2 and knew that victory in Toronto would see them leapfrog their opponents into seventh place.
It was the hosts who started on the front foot, however, as Malik Henry tested Alex Rando with a tame shot in the fourth minute.
New York almost struck back immediately through a delightful team move. Drew Baiera drove in a low cross that found Piero Elias free at the back post, but his first-time effort drew a brilliant save from Adisa De Rosario — son of former Canadian international Dwayne De Rosario.
Both teams pushed for the opener, and in the 23rd minute Toronto broke the deadlock. After Hassan Ayari collected a loose ball in the left-hand corner, his driving run toward the byline allowed him to cut it back for Nathaniel Edwards, who powered a low strike under Rando.
New York nearly responded as Luka Sunjic tested De Rosario with a stinging effort after a driving run down the right, but Toronto enjoyed the better of the first half and forced City to head into the break a goal behind.
After the restart, New York City’s task became even harder when Toronto doubled their lead in the 47th minute. Markus Cimermancic received a pass on the edge of the area, spun quickly, and fired into the bottom corner to make it 2-0.
New York City FC II attempted to find a route back into the game and came close to creating a great chance with a Chris Tiao delivery on the hour mark. Unfortunately, the cross was plucked out of the air by De Rosario. Pilkington turned to his bench in the 65th minute as Julien Lacher replaced Sunjic.
Minutes later, Toronto added a third through Cimermancic’s second of the afternoon.
Pilkington made a double change in the 82nd minute, introducing Eligio Guarino and James Bilden in place of Sebastiano Musu and Piero Elias. Bilden was handed a good chance to put New York City FC II on the board after Max Murray’s clipped pass found him in the box. The substitute did his best to head the ball on target but saw it bounce just wide of the post.
Toronto almost made it four in the 85th minute, only for Rando to deny Cimermancic with a brilliant reaction save from close range.
Pilkington’s side continued to push for a goal and came close when Baiera flashed a dangerous cross in front of the six-yard box. Bilden then went close again with another headed effort after Peter Molinari dinked a cross into the area.
Unfortunately, they could not find a goal, and were forced to accept a disappointing 3-0 defeat on the road.
