New York Red Bulls II will travel to face El Paso Locomotive FC on Saturday, June 25, at Southwest University Park. Kickoff is scheduled for 9:30 p.m. ET with coverage available on ESPN+.
Match Notes
Meeting for the First Time – New York and El Paso will meet for the first time in their history on Saturday night. The match marks one of nine matches for Red Bulls II throughout the 2022 season against a first-time opponent.
Standout Sam – Sam Williams is the youngest player in USL Championship to appear in every match for their respective club this season. He is also the youngest to surpass 1,000 minutes, with the next youngest being two years older than him.
Rafanello’s Strong Second Year – Jeremy Rafanello has started all 13 matches that he has appeared in this season, totaling 1,169 of a possible 1,170 minutes. His streak of 13-consecutive matches is currently the longest on the team.
Training Quotes
“I’ve said all along, we’re consistent in our approach anyway, so we’re going to press you no matter what. Then it’s just a matter of getting that correct because we don’t want them to get in behind us, so the first part of the press is really important. We have certain strategies for certain systems if they play with a back three or a back four. We know they play with a back four because they play with a six, so our intention is to stop them playing through us.” – Gary Lewis
“That’s part of my job here at Red Bull. There’s the defensive side of the ball, but there’s also getting forward for creating chances because as a modern-day fullback, it’s not only defending, you have to get forward. We have to provide crosses in the box, especially here, they have the trust in me and give me the freedom to go forward. Hopefully one of these games soon coming up, I can provide an assist or maybe a goal.” – Curtis Ofori on creating chances
Important Numbers
1 – Six of New York’s last seven matches have been decided by one goal or less. Overall, 10 of the club’s 15 matches this season have seen a margin of one goal or fewer.
6 – El Paso enters the match riding a streak of points in six-consecutive matches. They are coming off a draw against Detroit City FC on June 18.
11 – Red Bulls II has 11 all-time victories when facing an opponent for the first time.
