MONTCLAIR, N.J. (June 5, 2023) - New York Red Bulls II (6-3-3, 23 pts.) secured all three points against New England Revolution II (7-4-1 9 pts.) in a 4-1 win at MSU Soccer Park. The win was the fourth in the past five matches for New York and concludes a regular season sweep of New England in 2023.
Coming off a weekend with two matches on the road, a win in Huntsville and a loss in Orlando, New York returned home looking to bounce back against a tough New England side.
It did not take long for the scoring to start in the match, as midfielder Ronald Donkor played a ball right to the face of the net, allowing Red Bulls Academy product Julian Hall to score his first professional goal in the fourth minute. The goal by Hall made him the youngest goal scorer in Red Bulls II history at 15 years old.
From there, New England turned up the energy to try and grab an equalizer. In the seventh minute, Esmir Bajraktarevic sent a ball into the middle of the box that found Jack Panayotou, who sent the ball into the back of the net to level the match.
After conceding, New York turned the pressure up and continued to get chances in the attacking end. In the 39th minute, Julian Hall made his way down the right wing off a feed from Bento Estrela. Hall sent a perfect pass to forward Oladayo Thomas in the middle of the box, who then scored his third goal of the season to put him in a tie for the team lead. In the same match where Julian Hall became the youngest player in club history to score a goal, he also became the youngest to record an assist.
Rather than settling for a one goal lead headed into the half, New York made sure to maintain pressure. In stoppage time, Midfielder Ibrahim Kasule cut off a New England pass and threaded a through ball to Ronald Donkor, who made a run into the box and struck a shot into the net. The goal was Donkor’s second of the year and Kasule notched his first assist of the season.
Red Bulls II went into the break after scoring three first half goals for the first time since September 26, 2020, against Philadelphia Union II. The three first half goals were the most in the first half since August 24, 2019, against Swope Park Rangers.
New England battled back to start the second half with good chances, but they were no match for A.J. Marcucci in net who made two crucial breakaway saves.
After the first ten minutes in the second half of Revolution II controlling the possession, Red Bulls II were able to counter and return to their form from the first 45 minutes. In the 71st minute Jayden Reid played a ball into the middle of the field that made its way through multiple New England defenders to find Ibrahim Kasule, who found the back of the net. Kasule’s goal was his third of the season, and the midfielder now has a goal in three consecutive matches. He is the first Red Bulls II player to score in three-straight since Omar Sowe in 2021.
Red Bulls II held it down from there, securing the win after a fantastic all-around game for the squad. The defensive line held a potent New England attack to five shots, with only three being on target. New York has allowed 12 goals in 12 matches this season, which is tied for the fewest in the Eastern Conference with Crown Legacy FC.
In the attacking end, four different players scored goals and five had assists on the night. 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.
New York now sits in a tie for second in the Eastern Conference and is tied for third in MLS NEXT Pro with 23 points in 12 matches.
New York will prepare for the second New York Derby of the season against New York City FC II at Belson Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. ET with coverage available on MLS Season Pass with Apple TV, the New York Red Bulls app, and NewYorkRedBulls.com.
Scoring Summary:
- NY - Julian Hall 1 (Donkor) 4’
- NE - Jack Panayotou 1 (Bajraktarevic) 7’
- NY - Oladayo Thomas 3 (Hall, Estrela) 39’
- NY - Ronald Donkor 2 (Kasule) 45’+1
- NY - Ibrahim Kasule 3 (Reid) 71’
Misconduct Summary:
- NY - Yostin Salinas (caution, foul) 48’
- NY - Mohammed Sofo (caution, foul) 86’
New York Red Bulls II: AJ Marcucci; Jayden Reid, Yostin Salinas, Matthew Nocita (Juan Gutierrez, 66’), Dija (Dylan Sullivan, 67’), Ronald Donkor, Erick Ruiz (Aiden Jarvis, 84’), Bento Estrela, Ibrahim Kasule, Oladayo Thomas (Frank Ssebufu, 66’), Julian Hall (Mohammed Sofo, 66’)
Unused Subs: Alan Rutkowski, Arian Recinos, Omar Valencia, Ricardo Gorday
TOTAL SHOTS: 22 ; SHOTS ON GOAL: 15 ; FOULS: 11 ; POSSESSION: 47.3 ; CORNER KICKS: 9 ; SAVES: 2
New England Revolution II: Jacob Jackson, Colby Quiñónes, Santiago Suárez, Victor Souza, Jacob Akanyrige (Peyton Miller, 46’), Esmir Bajraktarevic, Jack Panayotou (Olger Escobar, 84’), Jake Rozhansky, Marcos Dias (Ben Awashie, 68’), Jordan Adebayo-Smith (Weverton, 81’), Malcolm Fry (Joshua Bolmo, 66’)
Unused Subs: Nicola Campuzano, ĂŤtalo, Nakye Greenidge-Duncan, Brandonn Bueno
TOTAL SHOTS: 5 ; SHOTS ON GOAL: 3 ; FOULS: 8 ; POSSESSION: 52.8 ; CORNER KICKS: 2 ; SAVES: 12
