Match Information
Harrisburg City Islanders (6-5-4, 22 points) vs. New York Red Bulls II (6-7-4, 22 points)
Skyline Sports Complex, Harrisburg, PA
Saturday, July 18, 2015
7 p.m. EDT
WATCH: Live stream available on NewYorkRedBulls.com/Live
#HARvNY – Follow on Twitter: @NYRBII
After losing a heartbreaking match in front of their home fans last Sunday to Harrisburg City Islanders, 2-0, New York Red Bulls II receive their third and final shot at the Islanders this weekend.
In the loss, Red Bulls II were more dominate on the in shots and possession, but were the victims of defensive mistakes, one of which resulted in a late penalty kick to seal the game. New York fell to 6-7-4 with the loss and used the long week to prepare for this weekend’s rematch.
READ: David Gass | My II Cents: After successful road trip, Red Bulls II struggle vs. Harrisburg
New York Red Bulls Academy product Konrad Plewa and the back four will look to bounce back after a difficult outing against Harrisburg. Look for Plewa to bounce back with a strong defensive performance to lead their back line. The defender has also shown the ability to score, with three goals this season.
Bolu Akinyode, another Red Bulls Academy product whose playing time has increased in recent matches, lost a one-on-one battle in the early stages of the last match which resulted in the opening goal, but displayed composure by coming back from the error with stronger defending, connecting more passes with the midfield, and even getting forward on the wing.
NYRB II fans thought they had equalized when Akinyode placed a cross on the head of Chris Tsonis who nodded home for the goal, but the assistant referee raised his flag, ruling Tsonis offside. How the defense responds to a Harrisburg team which has outscored NYRB II 4-1 in two matches this season will be a key to this match.
The tale is different for the Harrisburg City Islanders, who have won two of their last three games and sit one game above the .500 mark. Currently standing in sixth place, the Islanders have two games in hand against the Red Bulls II. With confidence high coming into this weekend’s match, look for them to give an all-out performance to sweep Red Bulls II and further solidify a spot in the playoffs on home soil.
The Islanders will again be without points leader Jason Plumhoff, who is serving the second match of his two-game suspension this weekend.
Enric Valles, a product of the FC Barcelona youth system, has become the midfield maestro for the Islanders, leading the team with five assists since joining the Islanders. He’s performed very well against the Red Bulls II side, tallying one goal and an assist in their previous two matches. Red Bulls II will need to find a way to slow down Valles to be successful on the road this weekend.
SUSPENDED: Jason Plumhoff, Harrisburg City Islanders
SUSPENDED AFTER NEXT YELLOW CARD: Mike Da Fonte and Daniel Bedoya, NYRB II; Jose Barril, Harrisburg City Islanders
