TORONTO, ON (September 2, 2023) - New York Red Bulls II (14-7-5, 40 pts.) earn a victory on the road against Toronto FC II (6-12-7, 28 pts.), 3-0, at York Lions Stadium last night.
Having just clinched a playoff spot in their previous match against Chicago, New York Red Bulls II came into yesterday’s match looking to solidify a spot at the top of the Eastern Conference standings. After Toronto handed New York a brutal loss last month in Montclair, Red Bulls II were ready for revenge and even the season series between these two clubs.
The match started off slow, with both teams making efforts to create chances in the final third with no real success. Toronto got the ball rolling with a few high-quality shots, but it would be New York that would open the scoring.
In the 23rd minute, defender Jayden Reid sent a cross in that made its way through the Toronto defense and found Red Bulls Academy defender Copeland Berkley on the other end of the box. Berkley then whipped another ball into the middle, that found the head of Mohammed Sofo, who found the back of the net to give New York the first lead of the match.
From then on, Red Bulls II had complete control in the offensive end. In the 32nd minute, Ronald Donkor made a slick move at midfield to beat a Toronto defender, and then found O’Vonte Mullings at the top of the eighteen, who sent in a rocket of a shot that made its way past the goalkeeper to double the lead.
Just three minutes later, Mullings would find the scoresheet yet again. The Toronto native received a perfect ball from Ibrahim Kasule and finished the ball right through the keeper to secure a brace in his Homecoming match.
New York went into the half in complete control, having scored three goals yet again for the second time in the last three matches.
From then on, Red Bulls II returned to their defensive ways and shut down the opposition’s attack. Solid play from the back line and defensive midfielders blanked Toronto for the entire second half and earned New York their Eastern Conference leading ninth clean sheet of the season.
The four-match win streak is New York’s longest win streak this season and the first time the club has done so since October of 2018. In that span, Red Bulls II have scored three-plus goals in every match, which no other team has done in the club’s eight-year history.
This recent goal scoring streak has vaulted New York into the top of most attacking stat categories in MLS NEXT Pro. The club is now at fourth in the league in goals scored (51) and third in goal differential (+19).
New York stays on the road for an Eastern Conference showdown against Crown Legacy FC on Sunday, September 10. Kickoff at Mecklenburg County Sportsplex is scheduled for 5:00 P.M. ET. Coverage will be on MLS Season Pass with Apple TV.
