Red Bulls U-18 Team Finishes Regular Season Ranked #4 Nationally With 2-0 Win over Cosmos: The Red Bulls U-18s defeated Cosmos Academy 2-0 behind goals from Oscar Gonzalez and Brandon Allen as they sealed a top seed for the USDA playoffs. The Red Bulls opened the scoring in the 25th minute when Kyle McCord flicked a pass for Gonzalez to finish from 12 yards out. The score remained 1-0 at half-time as the Red Bulls had a tremendous opportunity to extend the lead but Allen’s blast came off the post in the 36th minute. In the second half the Cosmos applied more pressure as they searched for an equalizer. However, stellar play from Reds Bulls captain Bryan Gallego thwarted any major chances and goalkeeper Keith Cardona was solid in goal. In the 78th minute, the Red Bulls made the score 2-0 when Allen scored his 26th goal of the season from a pinpoint pass from Scotty Thomsen. With the win, the team extended its home winning streak to two full USDA seasons.
“I thought we were solid today from start to finish,” U-18 Head Coach Paul O’Donnell said. “Despite missing numerous players over the course of the season for national team call-ups and games with our First Team Reserves, the players still managed to remain unbeaten at home and that is a testament to our squad depth this season.”
U-16s Draw With Cosmos, 1-1: The Red Bulls U-16 squad played to an even 1-1 with the Cosmos. The Red Bulls took a lead into the second half on a goal by Bolu Akinyode, who scored off a Ross Tetro corner kick in the first half. The Cosmos found the equalizer just three minutes from time.
Five Red Bulls Academy Players Participate in U.S U-14 National Team Camp in Los Angeles: Red Bulls Academy players Malcom Dixon, Stephen Elias, John Antunes, Orestis Sousonis and Kyle Zajec all participated in the United States U-14 National Team camp in Los Angeles, CA last week. The squad played three matches over the course of the week, with Dixon leading the team in scoring with three goals. Elias added a goal and two assists.
