MONTCLAIR, N.J. (April 17, 2023) - New York Red Bulls II (1-1-2, 6 pts.) battled fellow MLS NEXT Pro expansion side Huntsville City FC (0-2-2, 4 pts.) to grab their first win of the year by a score of 1-0 on Saturday night at MSU Soccer Park.
Entering the fourth matchday of the season, both New York and Huntsville were looking for their first win not only of the year, but their first win in MLS NEXT Pro. Huntsville had gone to two shootouts and won both, while New York, who also have had two shootouts, split their record 1-1.
New York started the match at MSU Soccer Park on the right foot, getting chances early and dominating possession. Ricardo Gorday, making his first professional start in the match, had multiple chances in the Huntsville box that ended with no score. The visitors seemed to settle in later in the second half, but New York struck first in stoppage time.
In the 45th minute, forward Oladayo Thomas drove through the middle of the field and threaded a pass through the Huntsville defense to find Ricardo Gorday. The Panamanian forward took the ball to the endline, cut back with a slick move, and ripped a shot into the far post side netting past the goalkeeper. The goal was the first professional score for Gorday, who made the most of his first career start. Oladayo Thomas notched his first assist of the season, which was also the first of his professional career.
Red Bulls II entered the half with the lead, but there was still plenty of work to do to close out the match.
Huntsville came out of the locker room hot, pressing hard and creating high quality chances in New York territory, but Red Bulls II goalkeeper A.J. Marcucci stood to the task and made some fantastic saves. One shot from point blank and a few from long range with pace, yet nothing seemed to be enough to get past the New York keeper.
Substitutions were key for New York in the second half as Jayden Reid, Amos Shapiro-Thompson, Curtis Ofori, Ibrahim Kasule, and Dylan Sullivan all put in great shifts to maintain the lead. The defense was able to stop a last-second barrage of shots by Huntsville, securing the victory for New York Red Bulls II and Head Coach Ibrahim Sekagya.
The win was Sekagya’s first as Head Coach for the II’s, as well as the team’s first in their new league. Sekagya had won two matches last season under the title of Interim Head Coach, but yesterday’s match was the first official win as Head Coach for the former New York Red Bull defender.
New York has a quick turnaround this week, as they travel to face New England Revolution II at Gillette Stadium with kickoff set for 7:00. The match will be streamed on MLS Season Pass with Apple TV.
