WILMINGTON, N.C. (April 22, 2016) – New York Red Bulls II extended its unbeaten streak to five games with a win against Wilmington Hammerheads FC at Legion Stadium, 1-0. Dan Metzger scored the game-winner, his first professional goal, in the 59th minute to seal the victory for New York.
The win improves Red Bulls II to 3-0-2 on the season. NYRB II earned its fourth consecutive shutout and has not conceded a goal in the last 405 minutes.
New York’s current five-game unbeaten streak is the longest in club history.
Red Bulls II saw its first scoring chance of the game in the 19th minute. Derrick Etienne Jr. stepped up to take the New York corner kick and swung in a cross. Konrad Plewa rose above the pack and headed towards goal, but goalkeeper John Smits collected the shot.
Brandon Allen nearly put New York ahead in the 31st minute after a sequence of passes around the penalty box. A deflected pass by Metzger fell to Allen whose left-footed shot pinged off the crossbar and out.
New York eventually found the breakthrough in the 59th minute. The play began with a cross from Etienne Jr., which connected with the head of Stefano Bonomo at the back post. Smits saved his header, but a failed clearance fell to Metzger who banged home his first goal of the season.
In the 87th minute, Red Bulls II nearly doubled the lead when a long ball from Tyler Adams found Junior Flemmings on the right side of the box. The Jamaican forward cut back towards the middle to create space for himself, and unleashed a left-footed shot that smashed off the crossbar.
Wilmington put the ball in the back of the net during stoppage time, but the referee waived off the goal for a foul suffered by Rafael Diaz, and Red Bulls II earned its second road win of the season.
Red Bulls II returns home to Red Bull Arena next weekend on Sunday, May 1, for a showdown with Charlotte Independence at 4 p.m. ET.
Discipline Summary:
- WIL: Josue Currais Prieto, Caution 33’
- NY: Derrick Etienne Jr., Caution 33’
- WIL: Ashani Fairclough, Caution 82’
Scoring Summary (Assists in parenthesis):
- NY: Dan Metzger 59’
Lineup:
NY: Rafael Diaz, Justin Bilyeu (Noah Powder, 46’), Tim Schmoll, Zach Carroll (Cheikh M’Baye, 46’), Konrad Plewa, Tyler Adams, Dan Metzger, Derrick Etienne Jr. (Zoumana Simpara, 73’), Junior Flemmings, Brandon Allen (Brian Saramago, 85’), Stefano Bonomo
Subs not used: Sam Ilin, Aaron Long, Speedy Williams
WIL: John Smits, Josue Currais Prieto, Logan Miller (Austin Martz, 71’), Bruno Perone, Ashani Fairclough, Michael Mecham, Mael Corboz, Qudus Lawal (Kyle Parker, 78’), Jeff Michaud (Bryce Taylor, 79’), Justin Moose (Zev Taublieb, 89’), Matthew Barnes-Homer
Subs not used: Eric Ati, Stefan Defregger, Peabo Doue
Man of the Match: Dan Metzger
