New York Red Bulls II is undefeated in their last four matches (3-0-1) and 3-1-1 through five of six consecutive road games. Only one away match remains before NYRB II return home to Rocco B. Commisso Soccer Stadium on July 12 to take on Harrisburg City Islanders. This week, NYRB II take on Pittsburgh Riverhounds, a rematch of a thrilling 3-2 victory for New York earlier this season.
TICKETS: July 12 vs. Harrisburg City Islanders
New York Red Bulls II face Pittsburgh Riverhounds at Highmark Stadium on Saturday, July 4 at 7 p.m. EDT (WATCH: Live stream available on NewYorkRedBulls.com/Live).
II hot to handle
Red Bulls II traveled west to Missouri last weekend and defeated Saint Louis FC, 4-1. Marius Obekop opened the scoring early, splitting the defense and finishing the chance in a one-on-one with the goalkeeper, thanks to a Leo Stolz through ball. Konrad Plewa, a halftime substitute, doubled the advantage in the 56th minute, blasting a bullet just under the bar from just outside of the penalty box.
Saint Louis grabbed one goal back, but Franklin Castellanos restored the two-goal lead when he caught Saint Louis on the counterattack, his first professional goal. Plewa struck again in the 90th minute to cement the victory, 4-1.
READ: MATCH RECAP: Saint Louis FC 1, New York Red Bulls II 4
New York improved to 6-5-4 (22 points) on the season and currently stand in fifth place of the Eastern Conference.
Fireworks in Pittsburgh
New York’s six-game road trip finally comes to an end on the Fourth of July. After being away from home for more than a month, Red Bulls II play their final away game at Highmark Stadium against Pittsburgh Riverhounds. For Pittsburgh, the Eastern Conference’s highest scoring club, Saturday’s match bears importance. The Riverhounds enter the game after posting a 1-2-1 record in June, and currently stand in sixth place, three points above the red line.
This is the second meeting of the season between Pittsburgh and New York. In their first encounter, Anthony Wallace’s wonder-strikein stoppage time clinched all three points for Red Bulls II, a 3-2 victory. Rob Vincent, currently tied in third place on the USL goal scoring list, scored a brace for Pittsburgh, but couldn’t find the third goal needed to grab a point at Red Bull Arena.
WATCH: Highlights: NYRB II’s 3-2 win vs. Pittsburgh Riverhounds
Pittsburgh has been exceptional at home this season, posting a 4-1-3 record. Their only home loss this year came on April 4 against the undefeated Rochester Rhinos. In addition to Vincent, Red Bulls II will need to look out for Kevin Kerr who’s recorded six goals and five assists this season.
Pittsburgh will be without head coach Mark Steffans and assistant Niko Katic, who were ejected last weekend. Midfielder Danny Earls and defender Will Hunt also received red cards, and will not be available for Saturday’s match.
USL Team of the Week and back-to-back game-winners for Konrad Plewa
Red Bulls II midfielder Konrad Plewa was named to the USL Team of the Week for the 15th week of the 2015 season. Plewa scored twice against Saint Louis FC as a halftime substitute and finished with four shots in the game. His first goal, the eventual game-winner, was a rocket from just outside of the 18-yard box which flew just below the crossbar. His second goal, scored in the 90th minute, cemented the 4-1 victory for Red Bulls II.
Plewa, who’s scored game winning goals in consecutive matches, has totaled three goals in two games. In the previous match against Louisville City FC, the Seton Hall alumnus and Red Bulls Academy product scored in the fourth minute, burying a shot from distance into the lower left corner of the goal.
Red Bulls II in MLS
Red Bulls II leading goal scorer Anatole Abang has scored two MLS goals and earned his first assist, a game-winner, against New York City FC last weekend. Abang scored another game winning goal against New York Cosmos in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, his third goal in all competitions with RBNY. The 18-year-old has also scored four goals for Red Bulls II in five matches this season. Abang has appeared in 11 MLS regular season matches for the Red Bulls, playing a total of 246 minutes.
Manolo Sanchez has now made three MLS appearances for the Red Bulls. He played six minutes as a substitute against New York City FC last weekend, nearly grabbing his first MLS goal in the late stages of the match, but his shot struck the post. He also made a three minute substitute appearance against Real Salt Lake on June 24.
Getting to know…Pittsburgh Riverhounds
Pittsburgh Riverhounds was established in 1998 (17th season) and is not currently affiliated with an MLS team.
The name, “Riverhounds,” derives from the expression, “river dog,” which refers to the barge workers that ply the three rivers at their confluence in Pittsburgh. The team’s mascot, AMO, is named after the Allegheny, Monongahela and Ohio Rivers.
In 2013, the Riverhounds opened Highmark Stadium, a 4,000 capacity soccer-specific stadium overlooking the city’s downtown skyline from across the Monongahela River.
Midfielder Danny Earls came up through the Aston Villa youth system and spent the 2010 season with Colorado Rapids. He played in 18 games and helped Colorado capture its first ever MLS Cup.
Pittsburgh Riverhounds’ long term goal is to join MLS by 2023 and expand Highmark Stadium to hold 18,000.
