MATCH INFORMATION
- New York Red Bulls II vs. Pittsburgh Riverhounds
- Red Bull Arena, Harrison, N.J.
- Sunday, May 3, 2015
- 2:00 p.m. EDT (WATCH: Live Stream available on NewYorkRedBulls.com/Live)
- Follow on Twitter @NYRBII
- Tickets
New York Red Bulls II return to Red Bull Arena, after playing three matches in eight days last week, to square off against Eastern Conference rival, the Pittsburgh Riverhounds on Sunday, May 3, 2015 at 2:00 p.m. EDT. NYRB II are coming off a road defeat at the hands of the undefeated Rochester Rhinos, 2-0 last Sunday, while the Riverhounds routed Toronto FC II, 5-1 at home last Saturday.
NEW YORK RED BULLS II
NYRB II (1-3-2), earned one point from three matches last week, with all three contests being played out against undefeated squads, all at the top of the Eastern Conference standings. Red Bulls II opened the three game set being the only squad in USL regular season play to earn a result against (4-0-1) Charleston Battery after a 1-1 draw —NY's first ever road trip as a professional team. New York could not outlast the first place Richmond Kickers at home mid-week before traveling to Rochester on Sunday. The Rhinos secured a 2-0 victory over New York, also remaining undefeated through the young USL season.
The trip to Rochester began as a physical battle in the midfield. Both Michael Da Fonte and Rochester forward Colin Rolfe needed treatment and new numberless jerseys after receiving cuts during play. The best chance for NYRB II came in the 31st minute when Derrick Etienne dangerously played a free kick into the box but no one was able to get a head on the end of it.
The Rhinos broke the deadlock in the 40th minute after a turnover lead to a Santiago Castano save, but the rebound was smashed home by Rochester's Alex Dixon. The lead was doubled in the 68th minute when Rhinos midfielder Jonny Mendoza charged into the penalty box and placed a low shot past Castano. Castano will surely be tested against a Pittsburgh side whose 2.60 goals per game average is best in the league this season.
New York Red Bulls II currently sit in eighth place in the USL Eastern Conference standings with five points through six matches.
Notes:
- The matchup against the Pittsburgh Riverhounds will be New York Red Bulls II's fifth home match of the season
- Goalkeeper Santiago Castano's 4.25 saves per game average is good for third best in the USL so far this season. His 17 total saves through four matches ranks fourth in the league.
PITTSBURGH RIVERHOUNDS
The Pittsburgh Riverhounds (2-1-2) enter Sunday’s match undefeated in their last three matches (1-0-2). In Pittsburgh’s previous match, the Riverhounds netted five goals for the second time this season in a victory against Toronto FC II, 5-1. The Riverhounds drew 1-1 to both Saint Louis FC and Louisville City FC before the defeat of Toronto. The Riverhounds’ other five-goal-game came in the first match of the season, a victory against Harrisburg City Islanders, 5-2.
In last week’s rout against the 10-man Toronto FC II, midfielder Rob Vincent scored two goals and earned USL Team of the Week honors for week six. In five matches, Vincent has already totaled four goals and three assists. Midfielder Kevin Kerr has been equally as impressive thus far, posting four goals and two assists. Pittsburgh’s lone loss of the season came in week two against the undefeated Rochester Rhinos, 2-1.
The Riverhounds currently sit in fifth place in the Eastern Conference with eight points through five matches.
Notes:
- The Riverhounds have scored at ease so far this season, posting 13 goals in five matches, the most in USL's Eastern Conference.
- This will be only the second away match for the Riverhounds, and their first trip to the East Coast this season.
Riverhounds Facts:
- Founded in 1998, the Pittsburgh Riverhounds are the only team in the Eastern Conference without an MLS affiliate. The Tulsa Roughnecks, Orange County Blues and Colorado Springs Switchbacks are the three Western Conference teams who hold that distinction.
- The name 'Riverhound' is derived from the expression, 'river dog' which refers to the barge workers that ply the three rivers at their confluence in Pittsburgh.
- The club features 12 players born outside of the United States including Irishman Danny Earls who came up through the Aston Villa youth system.
Kickoff on Sunday at RBA is set for 2:00 p.m. ET, and the game will be streamed live on NewYorkRedBulls.com/Live.
