LOUISVILLE, Ky. (April 2, 2016) - New York Red Bulls II claimed its first victory of the 2016 USL season against Louisville City FC, 2-0. Debutant Junior Flemmings opened the scoring in the 22nd minute and assisted Brandon Allen’s third goal of the season in the 78th minute to close out the match.
Red Bulls II improves to 1-0-1 with the win, opening the year with a win and a draw for the second consecutive season. Dan Metzger, who started in midfield for New York, played in his first game since undergoing season-ending knee surgery in July 2015.
The windy conditions dominated the opening minutes of the game, with Red Bulls II headed directly against the elements. However, it was Louisville who created the more dangerous chances early on.
The home side put the ball in the box in the 22nd minute, getting off a shot near the penalty spot, but Konrad Plewa was there to make the sliding save.
In the 29th minute, Vincent Bezecourt took a shot from distance, which Louisville goalkeeper Scott Goodwin parried to his left. Flemmings followed the shot, beat his defender and buried the chance at the near post from a tight angle to put New York ahead.
Shortly after the goal, Bezecourt was caught by a tackle while making a clearance and needed medical attention on the field. Although the Frenchman walked off on his own power, Red Bulls academy player Brian Saramago took his place in the 40th minute.
In the second half, with the wind at their backs, New York’s defense thrived. Despite some positive build-up play from Louisville, center backs Aaron Long and Zach Carroll consistently closed down defenders on counter attacks and won their one-on-one battles.
In the 78th minute, Allen doubled NYRB II’s lead. The play began when Plewa forced a turnover and played a leading ball to Flemmings. The Jamaican made a run down the right flank towards the endline. Flemmings teed up Allen, who was had plenty of space at the top of the box, and slotted his chance into the lower-right hand corner of the goal.
In stoppage time, Louisville put the ball in the back of the net, but the referee disallowed the goal for interference on goalkeeper Ryan Meara, who earned his first clean sheet of the season in the victory.
Next weekend, Red Bulls II returns home to Red Bull Arena on Sunday, April 10, where they will host Bethlehem Steel FC at 7:30 p.m. ET.
Discipline Summary:
- NY: Noah Powder, Caution 11’
- LOU: George Davis IV, Caution 45+’
- LOU: Paulo DelPiccolo, Caution 60’
- LOU: Cameron Lancaster, Caution 90+’
- NY: Mason Deeds, Caution 90+’
Scoring Summary (Assist in parenthesis):
- NY: Junior Flemmings 29’
- NY: Brandon Allen (Junior Flemmings) 78’
Lineups:
NY: Ryan Meara, Noah Powder, Aaron Long, Zach Carroll, Konrad Plewa, Dan Metzger (Tim Schmoll, 66’), Speedy Williams, Vincent Bezecourt (Brian Saramago, 40’), Derrick Etienne Jr., Brandon Allen, Junior Flemmings (Mason Deeds, 80’)
Subs not used: Rafael Diaz, Stefano Bonomo
LOU: Scott Goodwin, Kyle Smith, Sean Reynolds, Conor Shanosky, Jonghyun Son, Mark Anthony Kaye (Niall McCabe, 79’), Guy Abend, Aodhan Quinn, George Davis IV (Paulo DelPiccolo, 46’), Andrew Lubahn (Cameron Lancaster, 61’), Jon Chandler Hoffman
Subs not used: Gregory Ranjitsingh, Tarak Morad, Tyler Newnam, Enrique Montano
Man of the Match: Junior Flemmings
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