New York Red Bulls II won its first playoff game in club history last weekend against Pittsburgh Riverhounds at Red Bull Arena and prepares for the top-seeded Rochester Rhinos in the next round of the postseason this weekend.
New York Red Bulls II take on Rochester Rhinos in the Eastern Conference Semifinal at Sahlen’s Stadium in Rochester, NY, on Saturday Oct. 3 at 7:05 p.m. ET (WATCH: Live stream available on NewYorkRedBulls.com/Live).
Red Bulls II down Riverhounds in Conference Quarterfinal
New York Red Bulls II emerged victorious in the club’s inaugural USL Playoffs match against Pittsburgh Riverhounds in extra time, 4-2. Red Bulls II came back twice and won the match thanks to two extra time goals from Karl Ouimette.
WATCH: NYRB II vs. Pittsburgh Highlights
Pittsburgh were the first to jump on the scoresheet with a goal from Willie Hunt in the 15th minute. In the second half, Manolo Sanchez connected with a pass from Stefano Bonomo to level the match. Despite both teams’ effort to break the deadlock, neither side could find its finishing touch and the match headed into extra time.
The Riverhounds regained the lead in the 96th minute when Hunt buried his second goal of the match, but Ouimette answered with the equalizer in the 101st minute on a corner kick. The Canadian international then went on to tally the game-winning goal of the match in the 115th minute, heading in from close range to give New York its first lead of the game. Daniel Bedoya scored in the 119th minute to seal the match and NYRB II earned its place in the conference semifinal.
Eastern Conference Semifinal vs. Rochester Rhinos
New York Red Bulls II is set to take on the top-seeded Rochester Rhinos in the conference semifinal on Saturday. This will be the fourth and final matchup between the clubs this season. In three tries this year, Red Bulls II has not been able to find a way to defeat the USL Regular Season champions. Rochester, who finished with a 17-1-10 record, lost its only match on Aug. 1 against Charlotte Independence, 4-2.
The Rhinos allowed a total of 15 goals in 28 games this season, which is by far the lowest number of goals against in USL. As a result, goalkeeper Brandon Miller boasts a league best 0.54 goals against average. In attack, Christian Volesky has led the team in points with eight goals and three assists. Two of his helpers this season have come against Red Bulls II. In three matches against NYRB II, Colin Rolfe scored a brace in their last meeting on Sept. 19 and provided an assist in Rochester’s first victory against New York on April 26. New York will need a complete performance to overcome a Rochester club that has not yet lost a home match this season (12-0-2).
History: NYRB II vs. Rochester
This weekend, Red Bulls II with take on the Rochester Rhinos for the fourth and final time this season. In three regular season matches this year, Red Bulls II has gone 0-2-1 versus the Rhinos, including two losses at Sahlen’s Stadium in Rochester, NY:
The clubs faced off in the opening match of the season at Red Bull Arena and played out a scoreless draw. Red Bulls II nearly claimed all three points in the clubs’ inaugural match when Leo Stolz had an opportunity to break the deadlock from the penalty spot, but Brandon Miller guessed correctly and made the diving save to preserve the draw.
In the second meeting between the sides, Rochester earned its first victory against Red Bulls II at the friendly confines of Sahlen’s Stadium, 2-0. Alex Dixon opened the scoring for Rochester in the 40th minute when a shot stopped by Santiago Castano fell directly onto his boot from close-range. Jonny Mendoza doubled the lead in the second half, thanks to an assist from Colin Rolfe which sealed the victory.
Sept. 19, 2015: Rochester Rhinos 3, New York Red Bulls II 2
In the third fixture between Red Bulls II and the Rhinos, Rochester jumped on the match early scoring two goals in the opening 10 minutes. Colin Rolfe grabbed a brace with a goal in the 3rd and 9th minute, and both tallies were assisted by Christian Volesky. Marius Obekop pulled one back in the 35th minute and assisted the game-tying goal by Stefano Bonomo in stoppage time. On the last kick of the match, Rochester swung in a corner kick which found the head of Sean Totsch who finished from close range to win the match, 3-2.
USL Playoff Picture
With the first-round victory against Pittsburgh Riverhounds, New York Red Bulls II advances to the conference semifinal against No. 1-seed Rochester Rhinos. The winner of the single leg contest will advance to the Eastern Conference Final to face the winner of No. 2-seed Louisville City FC and No. 3-seed Charleston Battery. Red Bulls II, the lowest remaining seed in the Eastern Conference, can no longer host a conference playoff match.
In the Western Conference, No. 1-seed Orange County Blues FC takes on No. 5-seed LA Galaxy II while No. 2-seed Oklahoma City Energy FC hosts No. 3-seed Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC.
