The New York Red Bulls II (11-3-4, 39 pts) defeated NYCFC II (6-7-5, 25 pts) 4-2 on Sunday night at MSU Soccer Park
Forward Mijahir Jimenez gave the home side the opening marker in the 14th minute. Midfielder Andy Rojas found midfielder Rafael Mosquera, who slipped a pass to Jimenez in the center of the box. Jimenez delivered a right-footed strike to the left, beating a sprawling keeper.
The guests leveled the game at one in the 20th minute, with midfielder Uriel Zeitz scoring with a right-footed try off an assist from midfielder Julien Lacher.
NYCFC II took the 2-1 advantage in the 31st minute, as forward Leo Guarino converted a low shot.
NYRBII pulled even at two five minutes later. Off a miss, Jimenez gathered the rebound and slid a pass to midfielder Nehuen Bendetti. The Argentinian capitalized and scored from the center of the box.
In the 39th minute, Mosquera stripped a defender of the ball in his 18-yard box, gathered the ball and gave Jimenez an opening. The Panamanian forward took one touch and fired a shot into the left corner of the net, giving the home side a 3-2 edge.
New York sealed the deal in the fourth minute of stoppage time. Jimenez stole the ball off a NYCFC II defender and laced a shot into the back of the net.
Jimenez scored his first career MLS NEXT Pro hat trick.
Jimenez is the youngest player in club history to score a hat trick. Doing so at 18 years and 114 days old.
Benedetti has scored in six of his last seven matches.
Midfielder Steven Sserwadda moved into a tie for sixth-most starts in club history, tying Jared Stroud with 52.
Aiden Jarvis made his 50th career appearance as he earned the starting nod in the midfield.
With his two assists on the day, Mosquera tallied his eighth and ninth career assist passing Stefano Bonomo, Derrick Etienne Jr., and Frank Ssebufu for sixth-most career assists in club history.
Goalkeeper Aidan Stokes had four saves on the day.
Entering as a substitute in the 85th minute, Ibrahim Kasule tied Hassan Ndam and Jared Stroud for the fourth-most appearances in club history with 64.
Following Sunday’s match, New York will travel to SeatGeek Stadium to face Chicago Fire FC II on Sunday, July 27. Kickoff is set for 2:00 p.m. ET with coverage available on MLSNEXTPro.com
