Recent NYRB II signing Allen Yanes played his first full 90 in New York Red Bulls II’s 2-2 draw to North Carolina FC on Tuesday night at MSU Soccer Park. The Guatemalan international showed a great representation of his acclimation into the system, despite only playing a few minutes (36) leading up to Tuesday’s game since his signing.
“I thought Allen [Yanes] was really good,” NYRB II head coach John Wolyniec said. “You know for him to go all 90 is great for him and as bonus for us. He’s clearly a good soccer player, he connects, has some good feet, has a decent handling of the tactics considering his minutes, especially got to feel pretty good about that. He’s interested in forward defending and stepping up, got himself in some really good positions going forward as well, so I definitely give him some good marks for today for sure.”
Yanes wasn’t the only player who saw more minutes in Tuesday’s draw, recent New York Red Bulls returnee Anatole Abang also tallied 65 minutes, while making the starting eleven. Abang, who since signing to the New York Red Bulls in 2015 from Cameroonian club Rainbow FC, has been loaned out on four separate occasions–New York Red Bulls II (2015-2016), Hobro IK (2016-2017), SJK (2017), and Astra Giurgio (2017 to July of this year).
On Tuesday, Abang played his first game for NYRB II since 2016 and like Yanes, Abang also impressed coach Wolyniec with his hard work and effort.
“Yeah, I mean obviously put a lot into it,” Wolyniec said. “Abang’s been with us before so he kind of knows what we expect and how we play, but you could see that it’s not so easy for him right now so there’s a ton of talent there. He’s electric at times and obviously a little limited with his minutes because he didn’t train that much with us, but I thought he put a good run in.”
During the time Abang was with NYRB II in 2016, Abang played 14 games and tallied eight goals. Abang, 22, is now back with the team and looks to make an impact. Tuesday’s USL game showed an Abang, subbed out in the 65th minute for Ben Mines, eager to go forward but capable of playing smart and calm. An Abang with great individual skills but also a team player who surprisingly synced in well with his teammates, despite only having a couple training sessions together.
I thought he worked hard and tried to do a lot of good things–just misses an assist, almost a great play,” Wolyniec said. “He’s really close to doing a lot of good things, but you can tell it’s a little rusty with us, so just got to give him time to adjust.”
New York Red Bulls II return to action on Saturday, August 25th, when they travel to Charleston, South Carolina to take on the Charleston Battery. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. ET. and can be seen live on ESPN+.
