New York Red Bulls II opened the 2016 USL season in exciting fashion, staging a two-goal comeback at Red Bull Arena to earn one-point in their home opener last weekend against Toronto FC II.
Red Bulls II aim for their first win of the season as they hit the road to face Louisville City FC on Saturday, April 2, at 3 p.m. ET (WATCH: NewYorkRedBulls.com/Live).
Red Bulls II stage two-goal comeback
New York Red Bulls II tied their home opener on Saturday, March 26, against Toronto FC II, 2-2. Brandon Allen scored two goals in his professional debut to complete a two-goal comeback for New York; earning the club it’s first point of 2016.
New York came out pressing high, causing problems and creating chances, but the visitors were the first to strike in the 35th minute. Toronto doubled their lead seconds before halftime and took a 2-0 lead into the second half.
Red Bulls II came out strong in the second half and earned a penalty kick in the 65th minute. Derrick Etienne Jr. took on his defender in the penalty box, beat his man and was taken down on the foul. Allen stepped up to the spot and saw his initial shot saved, but he knocked in the rebound to pull one back for New York.
In the 69th minute, Allen tallied his second goal of the match. The Homegrown Player received a pass from Sean Davis in the box and fired towards goal. The shot took a slight deflection off a Toronto defender and found the back of the net at the near post to tie the game and earn New York the comeback draw.
Brandon Allen named to USL Team of the Week
Brandon Allen was named to the USL Team of the Week for his two-goal performance in his professional debut. The forward started and played the full 90 minutes of the match, registering five shots, all of which were on goal.
Derrick Etienne Jr. was named to the USL Team of the Week Bench. The midfielder, who was playing in his first game as a professional, created Allen’s first scoring opportunity when he drew a penalty kick after being dragged down in the box. Etienne Jr. started and played the full 90 minutes, recording two shots.
Next Up: Louisville City FC
New York Red Bulls II head south for their first road match of the 2016 USL season campaign against Louisville City FC on Saturday, April 2, at 3 p.m. ET (WATCH: NewYorkRedBulls.com/Live).
Last season, New York swept the season series with Louisville, winning one game at home (3-2 9/5/15) and on the road (2-0 6/20/15). In NYRB II’s previous trip to Louisville, Konrad Plewa scored two goals in a shutout victory.
Louisville enters the match after a dramatic opening day victory against Charlotte Independence, 1-0. The lone goal of the game came on a free kick taken by Cameron Lancaster in the 94th minute, which found the top corner.
NYRB II Notes
- Brandon Allen is the second Red Bulls II player to score in his debut (Anatole Abang, 4/4/15 vs. TFC II) and first to score multiple goals in his debut.
- Five Homegrown Players and one Red Bulls academy player were included in last weekend’s starting XI. Representing the Homegrowns were Sean Davis, Derrick Etienne Jr., Brandon Allen, Tyler Adams and Alex Muyl. Noah Powder, a current Red Bulls academy player, started in defense for New York. Mason Deeds, a current Red Bulls academy player, featured as a substitute.
- Konrad Plewa will be available for team selection next weekend. The defender served his one-game suspension last weekend for his straight red card suffered in the team’s final playoff game in 2015.
- Sean Davis earned an assist on Brandon Allen’s game-tying goal. The assist was the third of Davis’ USL career in six games.
- Derrick Etienne Jr. played in his first USL game since July 4, 2015, when he was an academy player. Etienne Jr. setup Allen’s initial goal versus Toronto FC II when he was dragged down in the box and earned a penalty kick.
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