The inaugural season of the New York Red Bulls Regional Select program came to a close on August 3rd, 2024, with the first-ever Regional Select Festival. Hosted at the Red Bulls Training Facility in Whippany, NJ, the tournament brought together Select teams from each regional location across multiple boys’ and girls’ age groups. In addition, six RDS Showcase teams rounded out the 28-team festival to provide a stern test of the Select players’ technical and tactical acumen.
Throughout the summer select season, the teams progressed over the course of six weeks under the watchful eye of high-level Red Bulls Youth Programs coaches. They also competed in two weekend-long tournaments against some of the top youth clubs in the region, which provided fast-paced and intense competition. As a result, the teams arrived at the season curtain closer in top shape and ready to provide a spectacle to the gathered family members and spectators.
In the 2012 Boys age group, Central NJ, led by David Ormeno and Mason Cantagallo, put on a show in defeating the other Select teams. However, they were undone by the RDS Showcase 2012/2013 boys. There was no shame in falling short as the RDS team featured a full squad of rising Red Bull Academy players with several seasons of Pre-Academy experience. On the 2013 Boys side, it was quite a scrap for the title with no Showcase team in the division. Some fantastically close games culminated with Metro Area defeating North NJ in the final. Standouts included Logan Kilmas, Ryder Steinfeld, and Santiago Gimenez.
In the younger brackets, the RDS Showcase Red and White teams were unstoppable in the 2014 Boys division. Despite the afternoon heat, there was still some great football by the Select teams, particularly Long Island and Central NJ. In the final game, the Showcase White team got the better of the Red team in a high-quality contest. The Select teams had their moment in the 2015 Boys bracket as each region was able to go toe to toe with the Showcase teams. Both Red and White Showcase teams tasted defeat for the first time for the day and Westchester led by Luca Silva and Dylan Janofsky took full advantage to take the trophy and the glory for the Select pathway.
On the girls’ side, the story of the day was the North NJ Select Girls. In the 2014/2015 division, it was a three-way shootout between North, Central NJ, and Metro, with North dominating the bracket to come out victorious. Less than an hour after the final, due to the unavailability of the Showcase girls’ team, the North team competed in the 2012/2013 division, with most of the girls playing up. In this much more challenging group, they were able to find the reserves to outlast a very strong Metro team in a thrilling final to complete the day’s festivities. Mia Gibs was outstanding, leading the team in goals scored in both age groups.
New York Red Bulls Youth Programs would like to express their gratitude all the participating players, and their families, for creating a positive and enjoyable environment on the day. We hope everyone will be looking forward to the Winter Regional Select season coming later this year. Please stay tuned for more details.
For more information on the Regional Select Program please click *here*
For more information on how to join an RDS program or fall camp, and earn opportunities to represent the RDS Showcase Teams, Pre-Academy, and Academy, click *here*
