The New York Red Bulls U-23 have advanced to the PDL Semifinal where they will face Ocala Stampede on Friday, July 31 at 9 p.m. EDT for a spot in the PDL Championship. Last weekend, the Red Bulls U-23s played their first ever playoff matches against GPS Portland Phoenix and Jersey Express at NJIT, both victories, en route to the semifinals to be held in Seattle, WA. The semifinals will be streamed on the PDL official YouTube channel.
Additionally, Red Bulls U-23 defender Timothy Schmoll has been named to the PDL All-Eastern Conference team. A Switzerland native, the 6’6” center back plays college soccer for Harvard, and has been instrumental for a New York team that finished at the top of their division this season with a 9-2-3 record.
In New York Red Bulls U-23s’ opening playoff match against GPS Portland Phoenix on July 25, the team shutout the visitors, 4-0. In a seemingly effortless performance at NJIT Stadium, forward Zach Knudson opened the game by pouncing onto a bouncing ball outside of the 18-yard box and dribbled inside a tight space to slip one into the goal. As the game progressed, Knudson dribble down the right flank and delivered a low cross onto the foot of Christopher Lema, who buried the chance to extend New York’s lead.
Knudson grabbed a brace when he anticipated a poor pass by a GPS defender. He intercepted the pass and beat the goalkeeper on the dribble for the third New York goal of the match. Finally, late in the second half, substitute forward Joe Farrell scored the fourth and final goal from close range to ice the game advance to the PDL Eastern Conference Championship against Jersey Express.
The following day, New York earned their spot in the PDL Semifinal by clinching the PDL Eastern Conference in a victory against Jersey Express, 2-1, in extra time. The Red Bulls U-23 opened the scoring in the first half when New York earned a free kick. Scott Thomsen whipped in a cross and Brian White buried his header for the first score of the game.
In the second half, Jersey Express leveled that match, 1-1, and the match headed into extra time. With both sides battling for a goal, forward Joe Farrell scored the game winning goal, thanks to a cross by Knudson in the 27th minute of extra time. The final whistle sounded and New York Red Bulls U-23 earned their place in the PDL Semifinal round against Ocala Stampede.
