EAST HANOVER, N.J. (March 1, 2022) – New York Red Bulls II fell to West Chester United SC, 3-2, on Tuesday, March 1, at Red Bulls Training Facility.
New York struck first in the ninth minute, as forward Austin Brummett played a ball towards the center of the box, where forward Omar Sowe was able to find the back of the net. West Chester struck right before the half to even the score at one.
Both teams traded opportunities in the second half, and New York was able to reclaim the lead in the 82nd minute with a goal from trialist midfielder Jonathan Filipe. West Chester responded three minutes later and took the lead in the 90th minute.
“It looked and felt like a preseason game,” Head Coach Gary Lewis said. “For the first 20 minutes, we showed the behaviors and identity that we’re looking for. Whatever kicked in, fitness or decision-making, we seemed to give the opponent some adrenaline to get back into the game. Second half, we got control again for a stretch, but then the momentum shifted again.”
Sowe and Filipe each scored their second goal of the preseason, putting them into a tie for the team lead in that category. MLS SuperDraft Pick Giannis Nikopolidis made his third-straight start in net, playing the full 90 minutes for the second-straight match.
The loss was the first of the 2022 preseason for New York, as it now holds a record of 1-1-1 during that stretch. The club will conclude its preseason match schedule on Saturday, March 5, against Philadelphia Union II. The match will be closed to the public, with coverage found on the club’s social media channels. Kickoff is scheduled for 12:00 p.m. ET.