Red Bulls II, winners of two straight matches, claimed another important three points on the road against Louisville City FC on June 20. Now with four of six road matches in their pockets, NYRB II has two games remaining in the extensive midseason road trip. New York is 2-1-1 on the road trip thus far, and unbeaten in their last three matches.
New York Red Bulls II face Saint Louis FC on Saturday, June 27 at 8:30 p.m. EDT (WATCH: Live stream available on NewYorkRedBulls.com/Live).
Red Bulls II strong for Louisville
New York Red Bulls II headed south for Louisville Slugger Field last weekend, where Louisville City FC was undefeated. NYRB II wasted no time, pressing high up the field and causing issues for the Louisville back line. In the fourth minute, New York caused a turnover in the final third which Konrad Plewa collected just outside of the penalty box. Plewa wasted no time, lowering his head and burying the chance into the lower left corner, his first professional goal.
In the second half, the high press created another goal when Tyler Adams forced a turnover and delivered a cross to Chris Tsonis in the area. Tsonis stopped the ball for a streaking Derrick Etienne, who slotted away the chance into the lower left corner. Red Bulls II preserved the shutout and claimed their second consecutive road victory, 2-0.
WATCH: Highlights from NYRB II’s 2-0 win over Louisville City FC
With the win, New York Red Bulls II improved to 5-5-4 at the halfway point of the USL season.
Road trip heads to Saint Louis
Next up for New York Red Bulls II is Saint Louis FC. This is the first of two fixtures against Saint Louis, the next to be played on August 2, at Rocco B. Commisso Soccer Stadium. Red Bulls II enters the match following consecutive shutout victories and look to steal more points on the road against a Saint Louis team that has struggled lately.
Saint Louis is winless in their last six games, their last victory taking place on May 9, against Wilmington Hammerheads FC. Despite the current skid, Saint Louis boasts a solid defense that has allowed the fourth lowest amount of goals (14) in USL.
Dan Metzger named USL Player of the Week, Ouimette and Castano Team of the Week
Red Bulls II midfielder and U.S. international Dan Metzger was named USL Player of the Week for Week 14. Metzger started and played the full 90 minutes in the 2-0 victory against Louisville City FC. He aided in preserving a shutout by defending the back line and transitioned NYRB II into attack.
READ: Dan Metzger named USL Player of the Week
Karl Ouimette was named to the USL Team of the Week along with Santiago Castano, who was named to the bench. Ouimette started at center back and helped preserve Red Bulls II’s second consecutive shutout while Castano made four saves.
Etienne points streak
Derrick Etienne is in the midst of a four-match point streak. Etienne, the U-18 captain, recorded a goal last weekend versus Louisville City. Etienne has three goals and two assists in the last three games, and he’s tallied at least one point in every match he’s played in since May 24 against Montreal FC. The Haitian international has three goals and three assists on the season.
Red Bulls II in MLS
Red Bulls II leading goal scorer Anatole Abang has now scored two MLS goals in three matches. The 18-year-old, who’s scored four goals for Red Bulls II in five matches, started and played the full 90 minutes against Real Salt Lake on June 24, shooting five times with three shots on goal. He also served as a half time substitute on June 20 against Vancouver Whitecaps. Abang kept Red Bulls hopes alive in the 82nd minute when he scored his second goal of the MLS season. In the match prior on June 5 versus Houston Dynamo, Abang served as a 74th minute substitute and scored in the 90th minute, thanks to an assist from another Red Bulls II capped player, Marius Obekop. Abang has appeared in nine MLS matches for the Red Bulls, playing a total of 89 minutes.
Manolo Sanchez made his first MLS appearance for the Red Bulls on June 20 versus Vancouver Whitecaps as a 77th minute substitution. He played 13 minutes and connected with Chris Duvall in the 82nd minute who assisted Abang’s goal. He also played three minutes as a substitute versus Real Salt Lake, and recorded three shots and one shot on goal.
Getting to know…Saint Louis FC
Affiliated with MLS club Chicago Fire.
St. Louis is in its inaugural season as a USL team.
Current Chicago Fire player and former MetroStars/Red Bulls forward Mike Magee played one match with Saint Louis this season in the final stages of his rehab from injury. He played 60 minutes against Louisville City FC, a 1-1 draw.
Defender James Musa is formerly a player at Fulham F.C. and New Zealand international. He has started 10 matches for Saint Louis this season.
The “1764” on the Saint Louis FC crest is a reference to the year the city was founded. The five lines behind the fleur-de-lis, a tribute to the French founders of the city, represent the five core values of the club: Unity, Humility, Passion, Respect, and Tradition.
