New York Red Bulls II sent the majority of its roster up to the New York Red Bulls First Team against Chelsea FC in the International Champions Cup, a game which New York won, 4-2. Franklin Castellanos and Tyler Adams scored, while Sean Davis snatched a brace in a match where 15 players made their First Team debuts against Chelsea. They also defeated Harrisburg City Islanders last weekend, 2-0.
New York Red Bulls II are back in action at Red Bull Arena against Richmond Kickers on Saturday, July 25 at 4 p.m. EDT (WATCH: Live stream available on NewYorkRedBulls.com/Live).
Red Bulls II, the champions of England
The New York Red Bulls earned a 4-2 win over defending English Premier League Champions Chelsea FC on Wednesday evening at Red Bull Arena behind four goals from Red Bulls Academy products. Franklin Castellanos and Tyler Adams, making their first senior team appearances, put New York ahead in the second half, while MLS rookie Sean Davis scored twice to see the Red Bulls to victory.
It was the first team debut for 15 Red Bulls and NYRB II players, including seven in the Red Bulls’ Starting XI. After Tuesday’s match in the quarterfinals of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, fresh legs were needed for head coach Jesse Marsch’s side.
Kyle Reynish, along with draft picks Leo Stolz and Shawn McLaws, made their debuts, as well as four players called up from New York Red Bulls II, the Red Bulls United Soccer League affiliate. Forward Chris Tsonis got the call, along with three Red Bulls Academy products, Konrad Plewa, Dan Bedoya and Tyler Adams.
Mike da Fonte, Franklin Castellanos and Academy product Dan Metzger all made their debuts at the start of the second half, followed by Santiago Castano, Jamie Thomas, Bolu Akinyode, Victor Manosalvas, Colin Heffron and Devon Williams.
In all, nine players with ties to the Red Bulls Academy saw time against the Blues.
The New York Red Bulls, playing a team made up mostly of New York Red Bulls II players, defeated the champions of England, 4-2.
New York Red Bulls II are back in action on Saturday, June 25 with a match against the Richmond Kickers. Kickoff at Red Bull Arena is set for 4:00 p.m. at Red Bull Arena.
Red Bulls II in MLS
First Team debuts versus Chelsea (15 total): Santiago Castano, Shawn McLaws, Jamie Thomas, Bolu Akinyode, Leo Stolz, Victor Manosalvas, Konrad Plewa, Mike Da Fonte, Chris Tsonis, Dan Metzger, Tyler Adams, Devon Williams, Daniel Bedoya, Franklin Castellanos, Colin Heffron.
Red Bulls Academy products versus Chelsea (nine total): Santiago Castano, Tyler Adams, Dan Metzger, Sean Davis, Konrad Plewa, Victor Manosalvas, Franklin Castellanos, Daniel Bedoya, Bolu Akinyode
READ: Academy products shine as Red Bulls earn "incredible result" vs. Chelsea
Franklin Castellanos opened the scoring for New York and recorded his first professional assist against Chelsea in the International Champions Cup. Castellanos pounced on a John Terry back-pass and buried the ball in the open net to level the match. Later, Castellanos delivered a cross to Tyler Adams who scored on a header.
Tyler Adams scored the first professional goal of his career against Chelsea in the International Champions Cup. Franklin Castellanos delivered the cross to Adams, who headed home the chance past Asmir Begovic.
Karl Ouimette and Sean Davis started and played the full 90 minutes against Chelsea in the International Champions Cup. Davis grabbed a brace, scoring first with his right foot, slamming home a shot inside the left post, and again for the fourth and final goal of the game with his left foot inside of the right post. Ouimette was also a late substitute for Sacha Kljestan in the 81st minute against Orlando City SC last weekend, installed into the game to help protect the one-goal lead.
Anthony Wallace started and played the full 90 minutes against Orlando City SC last weekend, a 2-0 Red Bulls victory. He recorded one shot and helped solidify the shutout. He also played 120 minutes in the U.S. Open Cup quarterfinals against Philadelphia Union.
Anatole Abang entered the match against OCSC in the 58th minute for Lloyd Sam. The forward recorded one shot. He also started and played 65 minutes in the U.S. Open Cup quarterfinals against Philadelphia Union.
NYRB II back in playoff position
Red Bulls II took advantage of 10-man Harrisburg City Islanders and claimed victory at Skyline Sports Complex, 2-0. Leo Stolz broke the deadlock in the 74th minute and Daniel Bedoya doubled the advantage five minutes later to cement the win.
In the 65th minute, Harrisburg’s Dante Laverock dragged down Juan Sanchez and received his second yellow card of the match and an ejection from the game. Shortly afterwards, NYRB II took advantage when a failed clearance rolled in the direction of Stolz. The midfielder stepped up and smashed his shot into the back of the net to break the deadlock.
Minutes later, Victor Manosalvas delivered a long pass forward to Bedoya in the box. Bedoya finished the chance and New York held onto the two-goal lead to take an important six-pointer away from home.
Kickin’ it with Richmond
After back-to-back matches with Harrisburg City, Red Bulls II face another important game in their quest of the playoffs as the Richmond Kickers pay a visit to Red Bull Arena. The Kickers, currently four-points ahead of Red Bulls II, stand in fourth place of the Eastern Conference. A win for New York would put them only one-point behind Richmond.
This is the second and final meeting of the regular season between these clubs. In the first fixture on April 22, Richmond grabbed all three-points at Red Bull Arena, earning a 1-0 win. Richmond’s Brian Ownby converted a penalty kick in the 50th minute which proved to be the difference in the match.
Since that match, Ownby, who’s tallied four goals and four assists this season, picked up a shoulder injury and may not return this season. As a result, the Kickers have struggled to score goals since his absence in the lineup, scoring a combined three goals in their last five matches. Richmond will rely on George Davis IV (5 G’s, 1 A), Jason Yeisley (5 G’s, 1 A) and Matthew Delicate (6 G’s) for offense this weekend.
Fast Facts from the last match against Harrisburg
Thanks to the 2-0 victory against Harrisburg City Islanders, Red Bulls II have now won four of their last five matches on the road (4-1-0).
Santiago Castano made one save and earned his third shutout of the season.
Devon Williams made his professional debut as a starter, playing 78 minutes in midfield.
Daniel Bedoya scored his first goal as a professional in the 79th minute to cement the win for NYRB II.
Henry Martin, a current Red Bulls Academy player, made his professional debut as a substitute in the 87th minute. He is the eighth current Academy player to make an appearance in a match for NYRB II this season.
Getting to know…Richmond Kickers
Founded in 1993, Richmond Kickers (along with Charleston Battery) is the oldest continuously operating professional club in the United States.
The Kickers’ official MLS affiliate is D.C. United.
In 1995, Richmond won its first, and to date only, Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup.
Richmond defender Sascha Goerres is a player/assistant coach for the Kickers, assistant coach for the Under-18 Academy of Richmond United and the head coach for the U-10 Boys Richmond Kickers Elite. He has appeared in all four matches for Richmond Kickers and recorded a game-tying assist against Louisville City FC.
Head Coach Leigh Cowlishaw played college soccer at University of Richmond, joined Richmond Kickers as a player in 1993 and became the manager in 2000. Since becoming head coach, Cowlishaw has led his club to two USL championships and four USL Organization of the Year awards.
