ROCHESTER, N.Y. (September 19, 2015) – New York Red Bulls II closed out the regular season with a 3-2 loss to the Rochester Rhinos on Saturday night at Sahlen’s Stadium. Both teams scored in stoppage time, with New York finding a late equalizer only to be undone by a header from Rochester’s Sean Totsch on the final play of the game.
New York looked to earn a point after a stoppage-time goal from Stefano Bonomo, but the Rhinos stormed down to claim all three points. New York Red Bulls II will now set their sights on the USL playoffs, which are set to begin next weekend.
Red Bulls II are the number four seed going into the USL Playoffs, and will host the Pittsburgh Riverhounds, who took the number seed tonight. The winner will go to face Rochester in the conference semifinals.
Rochester, the Eastern Conference leaders, showed why they have been so dominant at home, with Chris Rolfe scoring twice in the opening nine minutes.
Obekop cut the lead in half in the 35th minute, jumping on a loose ball at the top of the box, dribbling his way by the Rochester ‘keeper and depositing the ball in the back of the net.
Rhinos midfielder Mike Garzi was ejected from the game just around the hour mark, which set up a final half hour where New York was able to throw numbers forward and press for the tying goal.
It took until stoppage time, but NYRB II eventually did find the tying goal, from 2015 MLS second round draft pick Stefano Bonomo. Obekop put the ball in the box, where Bonomo was able to gain possession and poke the ball over the line to knot the game at two.
New York scored deep in stoppage time, but the Rhinos took the ensuing kick and stormed down the field, earning a corner kick. The ball from Jonny Mendoza found Totsch, who was able to head the ball by NYRB II ‘keeper Rafael Diaz to steal the points for the home team.
Scoring Summary
- ROC – Colin Rolfe (Christian Volesky) 3’
- ROC – Colin Rolfe (Christian Volesky) 9’
- NY – Marius Obekop (Devon Williams) 35’
- NY – Stefano Bonomo (Marius Obekop) 90+3’
- ROC – Sean Totsch (Jonny Mendoza) 90+4’
Discipline Summary
- ROC – Pat McMahon (caution, foul) 31’
- NY – Konrad Plewa (caution, foul) 38’
- NY – Devon Williams (caution, foul) 44’
- ROC – Timi Mulgrew (caution, foul) 53’
- ROC – Mike Garzi (caution, foul) 60’
- ROC – Mike Garzi (ejection, foul) 60’
- ROC – Jonny Mendoza (caution, foul) 88’
Lineups
NY: Rafael Diaz; Shawn McLaws, Mike DaFonte (James Thomas, 89’), Konrad Plewa, Colin Heffron, Tyler Adams (Bolu Akinyode, 64’), Devon Williams, Leo Stolz (Daniel Bedoya, 76’), Manolo Sanchez (Franklin Castellanos, 81’), Chris Tsonis (Stefano Bonomo, 69’), Marius Obekop
Unused Subs: Santiago Castano, Victor Manosalvas
ROC: Brandon Miller; Alex Dixon, Vassilios Apostolopolous, Tony Walls, Pat McMahon, Mike Garzi, Nate Bourdeau (Grant Van De Casteele, 73’), Kenardo Forbes, Timi Mulgrew (Jonny Mendoza 61’), Christian Volesky (Steevan Dos Santos, 67’), Colin Rolfe (Sean Totsch, 61’)
