NEWARK, N.J. (May 20, 2015) - New York Red Bulls II fell to the Jersey Express, 1-0, on Wednesday night in a second round match of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup on the campus of the New Jersey Institute of Technology. A 59th minute goal off a corner kick was the difference for Jersey Express against a New York team missing several regular players.
The first half was largely exploratory, with the unfamiliar opponents feeling each other out. The first real scoring chance came in the 28th minute, when Jersey Express forward Adin Kovara got on the end of a long pass behind the defense, but his first-touch volley was blasted over the cross bar.
Jersey Express' Bryan Martinez also had a chance at the end of the first half on a free kick from 25 yards, but his attempt on goal was easily handled by Red Bulls goalkeeper Rafael Diaz.
NYRB II opened the second half with pressure. After several near chances, Dan Metzger found the ball in the attacking half and played in Red Bulls U-18 captain Derrick Etienne. Etienne slid a pass to U-18 teammate Juan Sebastian Sanchez, but his shot was off the mark.
The Express goal came from a Chris Karcz header off of a corner kick in the 59th minute.The Red Bulls pressed again after the goal, earning a corner. Konrad Plewa got a clean header off the ensuing service from Etienne, but his strike was off target.
Jersey Express was content to put 10 men behind the ball for the rest of the match, and NYRB II was unable to find a way through.
The NYRB II lineup featured 11 players with ties to Red Bulls Academy, including six current academy players. Two current Red Bull Academy players, Etienne and Sanchez, made the starting XI.
NYRB II return to league action on Sunday, May 24, when they host FC Montreal at 8 p.m. at Red Bull Arena. The match will be the second half of a double header, with the New York Red Bulls taking on the Philadelphia Union at 5 p.m.
Scoring Summary:
- Jer: Chris Karcz (Bryan Martinez) 59'
Discipline Summary:
- NY- James Thomas (caution, foul) 37'
- Jer - Federico De Oliveiro (caution, foul) 83'
NY lineup: Rafael Diaz, James Thomas, Mike Da Fonte, Konrad Plewa, Colin Heffron (Ethan Lochner), Dan Metzger, Tyler Adams, Derrick Etienne, Alex Clay (Franklin Castellanos, 67'), Chris Tsonis, Juan Sebastian Sanchez
Unused Subs:
Wojciech Gadja, Bolu Akinyode, Mason Deeds, Kyle Zajec
