Going into June, New York Red Bulls II were preparing for four matches against some of the top teams in the Eastern Conference, including New England, New York City, and Crown Legacy FC. New York had just come off a loss against Orlando City B and went into the month head on against New England Revolution II, who were second in the Eastern Conference at the time while on a four-match win streak:
FOUR PLAYERS, FOUR GOALS
Returning home from two matches in four days on the road, New York knew that they needed to get back to their winning ways at MSU Soccer Park. The action came quickly, and it took just three minutes for the squad to show what they were made of against a Revs II team that they had already defeated 1-0 a month prior.
Ronald Donkor started it all after intercepting an errant pass from the New England goalkeeper and finding Red Bulls Academy product Julian Hall right in front of the net for his first professional goal. The goal put Hall in the history books, making him the youngest player in club history to record a goal at 15 years old.
New England eventually equalized, but New York kept their pressure up. In the 39th minute, Julian Hall was in the mix yet again as he made a run down the right wing after dribbling past multiple defenders. Hall sent in a perfect cross to Oladayo Thomas who gave New York the lead yet again for his third goal of the season. Hall made even more history with his assist, becoming the youngest player in club history to record an assist, passing fellow Red Bulls Academy product Serge Ngoma with both records.
Goals from Ronald Donkor and Ibrahim Kasule sealed the victory for Red Bulls II in a dominant victory over a top team in the league. The victory earned the side honors from the league, as they were named Team of the Matchday for the first time this season. New York’s four goals were a season-high and the most in a match since October 30, 2021, when the club defeated Loudoun United FC 4-1.
COOL, CALM, KASULE
June was an incredible month for Ibrahim Kasule, who found his top form over the past four weeks. Kasule came into the month having already scored in two straight matches and continued his roll for the entirety of the month.
The Ugandan midfielder started his June campaign with a goal and an assist against New England Revolution. The goal marked his third goal in three consecutive matches, making him the first Red Bulls II player to score in three-straight since Omar Sowe in 2021. His assist was the first of the season, but that tally would rise quickly in upcoming matches.
The 19-year-old continued his impressive run of form the next week in a 3-1 loss against New York City. Kasule placed a perfect ball with the outside of his foot to his fellow countryman Frank Ssebufu for his second assist of the season.
In what was arguably the most important match of the season against a Conference leading Crown Legacy FC side, Kasule did not let the moment get to him. The match was a defensive battle, but the midfielder was a clear difference maker and made his impact throughout all 90 minutes. Kasule was able to add his name to the scoresheet yet again, this time from the penalty spot to take the lead in an eventual 1-1 draw.
Ibrahim ended the month just as he started, having contributed to multiple goals in a dominant victory. Kasule got on the board in the 25th minute with his fifth goal in the past six matches to give New York a 2-1 lead. Just fifteen minutes later, he stepped up to take a free kick from around 25 yards out and whipped a perfect ball into Davi Alexandre for his third assist on the year.
With three goals and three assists in four matches in the month of June, Ibrahim Kasule made his case very difficult for the league to turn him down for Player of the Month.
A MONTH OF MILESTONES
As previously mentioned, the month started off with Julian Hall setting record after record for New York, but he was not the only one to make history and mark milestones.
In the June 25th match against FC Cincinnati 2, it only took 30 seconds for Frank Ssebufu to contribute to club history. The Ugandan forward received an incredible cross from Copeland Berkley for the second fastest goal in club history, only behind Jesus Castellano who found the back of the net in 18 seconds last season. The assist from the Red Bulls Academy Product was the first of his professional career and is in the Top-5 youngest to record one in club history.
This match contained another major milestone from recent signing and former Academy defender Davi Alexandre. In his second start since signing his first professional contract, Alexandre received a perfect cross from Ibrahim Kasule and headed the ball in for his first professional goal.
The three points against Cincinnati added to New York’s June tally, giving them seven points in a four-match span. Red Bulls II now sit comfortably at 4th in the Eastern Conference and 7th in MLS NEXT Pro in points.
