SAINT LOUIS, MO (June 27, 2015) – New York Red Bulls II continued to build their positive momentum and defeated Saint Louis FC on the road, 4-1. Marius Obekop opened the scoring early, while Konrad Plewa had two in the victory. Franklin Castellanos scored his first professional goal and NYRB II extended their unbeaten streak to four matches.
New York’s third consecutive victory improves their record to 6-5-4 (22 points). They currently stand in fifth place of the Eastern Conference and are 3-1-1 through five of six successive road matches.
The scoring began in the eighth minute when Leo Stolz delivered a through ball to Obekop, which he gathered in space with only the goalkeeper to beat. He took one touch and calmly finished the chance to put New York ahead early, 1-0. For Stolz, it was his first assist of the season.
For the remainder of the first half, the game was played at a quick pace with both teams applying plenty of pressure, but Red Bulls II maintained its one goal lead. At half time, Obekop was replaced by Plewa, in what would prove to be a key change in the match.
Plewa’s impact was felt early and often. In the 56th minute, reigning USL Player of the Week Dan Metzger delivered a pass to Plewa. The Seton Hall graduate took one touch smashed his shot just under the bar, the eventual game-winning goal. Plewa has now scored game-winners in back-to-back matches.
Saint Louis cut the lead in half in the 59th minute and the home side were back in the match instantly, but Red Bulls academy player and 73rd minute substitute Castellanos answered merely 10 minutes after entering the match.
Metzger forced a turnover near midfield and laid it off to Chris Tsonis. There was only one defender left to beat, and Tsonis spotted Castellanos darting downfield, wide-open. He delivered the through ball and as Castellanos reached the top of the penalty box, the defender had caught up. Castellanos cleverly cut back towards the middle of the field, which drew the goalkeeper out and put the defender on his heels. Castellanos cut once more towards the endline which beat everyone, even spinning the goalkeeper. He coolly buried his chance into the open net and the New York lead was back to two goals.
Plewa tallied again in the 90th minute when he split two defenders and displayed exceptional composure by chipping the goalkeeper for his third goal in the last two matches. Minutes later the whistle sounded and NYRB II were once again victorious on the road, 4-1.
New York Red Bulls II conclude their six-game road trip next weekend on Saturday, July 4 against Pittsburgh Riverhounds.
Scoring Summary
- NY: Marius Obekop (Leo Stolz) 8’
- NY: Konrad Plewa 56’
- STL: Jermie Lynch (Jacob Bushue) 59’
- NY: Franklin Castellanos 83’
- NY: Konrad Plewa 90’
Discipline Summary
- NY: Chris Tsonis, Caution 77’
- NY: Mike Da Fonte, Caution 87’
- STL: Charles Renken, Caution 90+’
Lineups
NY: Santiago Castano, James Thomas (Franklin Castellanos, 73’), Shawn McLaws, Mike Da Fonte, Anthony Wallace, Dan Metzger, Tyler Adams, Leo Stolz (Bolu Akinyode, 67’), Dan Bedoya, Chris Tsonis, Marius Obekop (Konrad Plewa, 45’)
Substitutes not used: Rafael Diaz, Victor Manosalvas, Alex Clay
STL: Mark Pais, Chad Vandergriffe, Sam Fink, Patrick Doody, Oskar Gasecki (Charles Renken, 55’), Jacob Bushue, Brian Ciesiulka, Bryan Gaul, Parker Maher (Jermie Lynch, 55’), Mike Ambersley, Jamiel Hardware
Substitutes not used: Alec Kann, Nick Bibbs, Kentaro Takada, Kingsley Bryce, Jordan Roberts
