MATCH PREVIEW: Red Bulls II vs. Richmond Kickers
Kickoff at 7:30 p.m. ET, watch on NewYorkRedBulls.com
Match Information
New York Red Bulls II vs. Richmond Kickers
Wednesday, April 22, 2015
Red Bull Arena, Harrison, N.J.
7:30 p.m. EDT (WATCH: Live stream available on NewYorkRedBulls.com/Live)
#NYvRIC - Follow on Twitter @NYRBII
New York Red Bulls II return to the friendly confines of Red Bull Arena on Wednesday, April 22 to host the undefeated Richmond Kickers. Red Bulls II will play its second match in four days after earning the first road point in team history against Charleston Battery. Richmond enters the match fresh off consecutive 3-0 victories and look to extend its unbeaten run to three in the club's first trip to Red Bull Arena.
READ: USL Update | Red Bulls II earn point on the road, host Richmond Kickers Wednesday
New York Red Bulls II
Record: 1-1-2 (5 points, fifth place in Eastern Conference)
Leading Goal Scorer: Anatole Abang (2)
Assist Leader: Sean Davis (2)
Saves Leader: Santiago Castano (11)
New York Red Bulls II are set to face its second consecutive unbeaten USL club, the Richmond Kickers. Last weekend Red Bulls II salvaged a draw, thanks to Anatole Abang's second goal of the season to level the match, 1-1. The goal was assisted by fellow MLS loanee Sean Davis, his second helper on the year. Although Abang and Davis lead the team in goals and assists while on loan from the First Team, Red Bulls II players such as academy player Derrick Etienne have impressed in his time with NYRB II. Etienne has recorded one assist in four games played, and has created many scoring chances for himself and his teammates.
During tomorrow's match, look out for Leo Stolz and Shawn McLaws against Richmond. Stolz has served as a leader in the midfield and produced a team-high nine shots and five shots on goal. He's recorded one goal so far this season. McLaws is an outside back with a tendency to create opportunities by getting up and down the sidelines. His ability to force turnovers and attack the wings makes him a threat against any side. McLaws had his best performance in week three against Toronto FC II when he was named to the USL Team of the Week, and will look to have a similar performance again this week.
Red Bulls II will be without Dan Metzger, who was called-up to the U.S. U-23 squad in Carson, Calif. Goalkeeper Santiago Castano will return to the lineup after serving a one game suspension for a red card he received against Wilmington Hammerheads.
Richmond Kickers
Record: 2-0-2 (8 points, third place in Eastern Conference)
Leading Goal Scorer: George Davis IV (3)
Assist Leader: Brian Ownby (2)
Saves Leader: Ryan Taylor (12)
Richmond Kickers, the official USL affiliate of MLS side D.C. United, enters the match after posting back-to-back shutout victories. Through four matches, the team has featured three on-loan players from United including goalkeeper Travis Worra and defenders Luke Mishu and Jalen Robinson. Robinson and Mishu have started in all four matches for Richmond, helping maintain two shutouts. The stifling Kickers defense has allowed the second lowest amount of goals in the Eastern Conference with only three goals allowed in four games.
The Kickers also boast one of the best attacking teams in USL thus far. Richmond has scored nine goals, which is tied with Charleston Battery for the most goals scored in the conference. The scoring has been predominantly produced by its strikers: Forwards George Davis IV (3), Jason Yeisley (2) and Matthew Delicate (2) have combined for seven of the Kickers' nine goals. Red Bulls II must find a way to control USL's deadliest strikers and break through the solid Richmond defense to find success on Wednesday night.
