Harrison, N.J. (March 24, 2017) – New York Red Bulls II kickoff their 2017 USL season in defense of their 2016 USL Cup Title, in Pittsburgh, PA against the Pittsburgh Riverhounds tomorrow at 5 p.m. ET on the USL Match Center. The reigning USL Cup champions return six players from last year’s title-winning roster compiled of: Rafael Diaz, Florian Valot, Stefano Bonomo, Tim Schmoll, Junior Flemmings, and Vincent Bezecourt.
Red Bulls II played four preseason games going 3-1-0 while playing two USL sides in the process.
Red Bulls II take on a Riverhounds side that has re-tooled and hopes to ascend to the top of the Eastern Conference with 16 new additions this offseason providing a bevy of opportunities to carve their spot within the team.
This will be Riverhounds Head Coach, Dave Brandt’s first full season at the helm for Pittsburgh. He took the reins a quarter of the way through last year’s USL season. Brandt came over after a highly successful collegiate soccer-coaching career at Navy.
Former New York Red Bulls draft pick, Corey Hertzog, was selected as the 13th overall pick for the 2011 MLS SuperDraft has looked to have found a home in Pittsburgh as he knocked in a career-high 13 goals for the Riverhounds last year. Red Bulls II’s newly formulated backline will look to stifle his runs in on goal.
Red Bulls II defeated the Riverhounds in both matchups last USL season resulting in a 4-1 scoreline.
Be sure to follow @NYRBII on Twitter for live in-game updates.
