Red Bulls Goals: Gorday 79', Kasule 80'
New York City Football Club II Goals: Owusu 47', Myers 56', Jiménez 69'
Quick Read
New York is blue after NYCFC II emerged victorious in the Hudson River Derby against rivals Red Bulls II. Goals from Samuel Owusu, Matt Myers, and Jonathan Jiménez gave the Boys in Blue a commanding 3-0 lead before consolation strikes from Ricardo Gorday and Ibrahim Kasule narrowed the advantage.
Match Recap
Matthew Pilkington was hoping for more Derby Day success as his NYCFC II side traveled to Montclair, New Jersey to take on Red Bulls II.
The Head Coach made four changes to the team that fell to the Philadelphia Union II last time out, with Maximo Carrizo, John Denis, Stevo Bednarsky, Francesco Di Ponzio, coming into the XI in place of Jack Beer, Piero Elias, Ronny Arévalo, and Drew Baiera.
NYCFC II started the game the stronger of the two and almost had the lead inside two minutes after Jonathan Jiménez's low cross made its way to Denis at the back post - his effort striking the woodwork and rebounding out.
A tense affair quickly unfolded as both teams knew they were playing for pride as well as points. The early warning shot from NYCFC II sparked Red Bulls into life and that required goalkeeper Alexander Yagudayev to be on top form.
The shot-stopper produced a series of important saves. First, in the 23rd minute, he denied Ibrahim Kasule from close range, before a minute later saving a Davi Alexandre header.
As the half drew to a close Denis was handed the chance to break the deadlock from a set piece, but his free kick was unable to hit the target.
That forced both teams to go in tied at the break.
The second period started with a single change for NYCFC II as Jack Beer replaced Maximo Carrizo.
With both teams searching for a goal they wouldn't have to wait long, with the stalemate between the two teams broken in the 47th minute.
An NYCFC II corner from Denis was whipped in near the penalty spot and arriving onto the ball was Samuel Owusu. His brilliant half volley flew past a crowd of bodies and clipped the inside of the post before nestling in the net.
The visitors were now firmly on top, and Denis almost made it two in the 51st minute, but once again his free kick couldn't quite find the target.
A second goal was on the horizon and it did finally arrive in the 56th minute. The move started with a cross out wide that was kept in and pulled back by Christian McFarlane.
Beer looked certain to score from close range, but his effort was blocked. Thankfully, on hand was Matt Myers to gobble up the loose ball and convert.
Things went from bad to worse for Red Bulls II as they were reduced to ten men in the 62nd minute after Davi Alexandre collected a second yellow card.
A third goal for the visitors would arrive in the 69th minute and beer would once again be involved in the build up. The midfielder player a curling pass out wide to Jiménez in space.
The forward brought down the ball before unleashing a ferocious drive from just inside the box that beat the goalkeeper at his near post.
Pilkington turned to his bench again in the 74th minute to introduce Jonny Shore and Julián Gómez for Denis and Myers. They were joined on the field by Baiera who replaced McFarlane.
The Red Bulls would find a pair of consolation goals in the space of two minutes. In the 79th minute, Ricardo Gorday found the net from close range. He was joined on the scoresheet by Kasule a minute later.
Pilkington's final sub saw Elias enter the field in place of Bednarsky. Beer would register NYCFC II's final chance of the game, but his effort was saved, meaning NYCFC II ran out 3-2 winners in the Hudson River Derby.
Match Highlights
How We Lined Up
What's Next
Next up for NYCFC II is a home match against Chicago Fire II at Belson Stadium on Sunday, July 16, 2023.
Watch live on AppleTV and follow our official @NYCFCII Twitter page for updates.
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