HARRISON, N.J. (June 4, 2025) - The New York Red Bulls II (8-2-2, 27 pts) defeated Crown Legacy FC (3-4-4, 15 pts) 5-2 at Mecklenburg County Sportsplex on Wednesday evening.
New York opened the scoring in the 21st minute. Midfielder Rafael Mosquera won a ball in the final third and dropped it off to defender Marcelo Morales who curled a right footed shot into the bottom right corner.
New York doubled their lead in the 39th minute. Midfielder Ronald Donkor played a ball wide to midfielder Nehuen Benedetti who squared a ball across the box to midfielder Ibrahim Kasule who placed it into the back of the net.
Crown Legacy answered back in the 43rd minute. Midfielder Thiago Rodrigues laced a rebound off a free kick into the bottom right corner of the net.
The home side evened the score in the 45+1st minute. Forward Dylan Sing headed a cross from Jahlane Forbes into the top right corner
Red Bulls II regained the lead in the 55th minute. Morales was tripped inside the penalty box by a Crown Legacy defender to draw a penalty kick. Kasule stepped up and converted his attempt into the bottom left corner.
New York found a fourth goal in the 69th minute. Donkor played a lateral ball to the top of the box to Benedetti who curled a shot into the top left corner.
Red Bulls II sealed the deal in the 89th minute. Donkor played a ball across the box to Kasule who placed a shot into the back of the net.
With three goals on the day, Kasule surpassed Brandon Allen for the club’s all-time leading goal scorer with 27 goals through league play.
Kasule scored his first career MLS NEXT Pro hattrick and is one eight players to score at least three goals in one match. He is also the youngest player in club history to score a hattrick at 21 years and 107 days old.
Kasule scored his third, fourth, and fifth goals of the season and leads the team in goals scored this year.
The Buikwe, Uganda native made his 63rd appearances and surpassed Jordan Scarlett for fourth-most appearances in club history.
With three assists in the match, Donkor now has the most assists in a single match in club history.
Donkor featured in his first MLS NEXT Pro appearance of the season.
Morales scored his first career MLS NEXT Pro goal.
Benedetti tallied his third goal and third assist of the season. This was his second career multi-goal contribution game with the club.
Mosquera dished his second assist of the season.
Goalkeeper Austin Causey made his first career MLS NEXT Pro start and appearance.
Midfielder Timothy Logan made his second-career MLS NEXT Pro appearance when he subbed in the 87th minute.
With the victory, New York are off to their best start through 12 matches in club history with 27 points. The previous record was set by the 2016 side who tallied 26 points.
New York have won four straight matches for the first time since 2023 and are unbeaten in five of their last six matches.
With three second half goals, Red Bulls II have scored 14 goals in the 65th minute or later this season.
This is Red Bulls II’s first victory against Crown Legacy.
Following Wednesday’s match, Red Bulls II will return home to MSU Soccer Park on June 15 for a Father’s Day matchup against Chattanooga FC. Kickoff is set for 2:00 p.m. ET with coverage available on Apple TV - MLS Season Pass
