HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, KY (March 29, 2024) - New York Red Bulls II (2-0-1 8 pts.) earn all three points on the road against FC Cincinnati 2 (0-2-1 1 pt.) at NKU Soccer Stadium.
Headed into yesterday’s match, New York was set for their fourth match played in just eleven days. While the contest was a bit slow to start, the boys showed no signs of slowing down as this match reached the late stages.
The first half was quiet on both ends, with New York having quality chances in the final third but unable to strike. Cincinnati had their chances as well, but goalkeeper Dallas Odle was up to the task in his debut for New York as the two sides went into the halftime break scoreless.
With no goals in the first 45 minutes, the second half was able to compensate for the lack of scoring with a jam-packed box score by the time the final whistle came around.
Red Bulls II would break the ice right after the halftime break in the 48th minute. A breakdown by the Cincinnati back line allowed midfielder Mohammed Sofo to play a perfect through ball to Roald Mitchell, who managed to get the ball past the goalkeeper to open the match’s scoring.
The first lead of the match would not last long for Red Bulls II, as Cincinnati answered just seven minutes later. The home side connected multiple passes in the final third that ended with Benjamin Stitz finding the back of the net on a sharp angle.
Cincinnati 2 would then take the lead in the match for the first time in the 66th minute. After multiple attempts on net, midfielder Yair Ramos received the ball around the penalty spot and slotted it into the side of the net to take a 2-1 lead.
As was the story multiple times last season for New York Red Bulls II, the boys were down, but not out. The attack continued to create chances in the final third and would find yet another breakthrough in the 78th minute.
Stepping up to take a set piece from the far-left side of the eighteen was Mohammed Sofo. The Ghanaian sent in a beautiful ball with pace that ended up deflecting off multiple players, including Davi Alexandre, and finding the back of the net to level things up with about ten minutes remaining.
Having made their way back to earning a result on the road, New York was not satisfied with just a draw.
Red Bulls II continued their press in the late stages of the match. In the 90th minute, just as the fourth official put up the announcement for four minutes of stoppage time, the squad would strike yet again.
From a similar spot to where the Sofo free kick was taken from on the second goal, defender Omar Valencia whipped in a fantastic cross right into the middle of the box to find Roald Mitchell yet again. The Montclair, N.J, native rose up with authority and high pointed the ball for a perfect header to seal the victory and all three points for his side.
New York Red Bulls II have now earned a result in all three of their matches in MLS NEXT Pro this season. With eight points in that span thanks to the shootout victory over Miami, it is the best start to a season over the first three matches in the club’s history. It is the third time that the club has recorded a 2-0-1 record to start a season, with the other two coming in 2016 and 2019.
Roald Mitchell became only the second player in club history to record three goals over the team’s first three matches, joining midfielder Wiki Carmona, who accomplished the feat last season.
New York Red Bulls II will shift their attention to Tuesday, April 2, for their 2024 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Second Round Matchup against New York City FC II at Belson Stadium. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. ET.
