Match Information
Saint Louis FC (3-4-5, 14 points) vs. New York Red Bulls II (5-5-4, 19 points)
World Wide Technology Soccer Park, Saint Louis, MO
Saturday, June 27, 2015
8:30 p.m. EDT
WATCH: Live stream available on NewYorkRedBulls.com/Live
#STLvNY – Follow on Twitter: @NYRBII
New York Red Bulls II hits the road again for their fifth successive away match to take on Saint Louis FC. NYRB II is seeking to extend their winning streak to three games after wins against Wilmington Hammerheads FC and Louisville City FC. This is the first of two matchups with Saint Louis FC, with the second match to be played at Rocco B. Commisso Soccer Stadium in New York City on August 2.
WATCH: Highlights from NYRB II’s 2-0 win over Louisville City FC
Red Bulls II have won back-to-back games for the first time its 14-game history, and seem confident with multiple players in top form. Both Chris Tsonis and Derrick Etienne have recorded points in consecutive matches, while Konrad Plewa scored his first professional goal last weekend against Louisville City. The goal started with a Louisville turnover, forced by the high pressing Red Bulls II who caused problems for defenders all night. Collecting the turnover in a dangerous area, Plewa found himself in space just outside the penalty area and finished the chance, a driven shot into the lower left corner.
Dan Metzger was named USL Player of the Week following a strong performance in the midfield, effectively defending and transitioning into attack. Metzger was also named to the USL Team of the Week along with Santiago Castano and Karl Ouimette, who preserved New York’s second consecutive shutout. Castano, who was named to the bench on the USL Team of the Week list, made four saves in the road win.
READ: USL Weekly Update | Road Warriors: Red Bulls II unbeaten in three consecutive away matches
This week’s opponent, Saint Louis FC, is in the middle of a six-game winless streak. Saint Louis’ last USL victory was back on May 9, a 1-0 victory against Wilmington Hammerheads FC. Despite current struggles, Saint Louis still boasts one of the strongest defenses in the Eastern Conference, allowing only 14 goals in 12 matches.
Goalkeepers Mark Pais and Alec Kann have split the starting job evenly, both with six USL starts each. They also share the same goals against average, an impressive 1.17. Saint Louis has struggled scoring goals this season, but most of the attack has come from Bryan Gaul and Jermie Lynch. Both players have scored three goals each and will demand the best from a New York defense that hasn’t allowed a goal since June 6.
SUSPENDED NEXT YELLOW CARD: NY: Andrew Jean-Baptiste
NOTES:
Red Bulls II are unbeaten in their last three matches (2-0-1). Currently locked in a six-game road trip, New York is 2-1-1 through four matches. Two road matches remain against St. Louis FC (Saturday, June 27) and Pittsburgh Riverhounds (Sun., July 4). NYRB II return home to Rocco B. Commisso Soccer Stadium on July 12 versus Harrisburg City Islanders.
Derrick Etienne is in the midst of a four-match point streak. Etienne, the U-18 captain, recorded a goal last weekend versus Louisville City. Etienne has three goals and two assists in the last three games, and he’s tallied at least one point in every match he’s played in since May 24 against Montreal FC. The Haitian international has three goals and three assists on the season.
Karl Ouimette was named to the USL Team of the Week for Week 14, and also received a call up to the Canadian Men’s National Team for the 2015 CONCACAF Gold Cup. Ouimette, who has started and played four matches for Red Bulls II this season, begins his Gold Cup journey on July 8 against El Salvador.
Red Bulls II midfielder Konrad Plewa scored his first professional goal, and the game-winner, on June 20 against Louisville City FC. The high pressing NYRB II attack forced a turnover which Plewa picked up in space. He lowered his head and buried the chance from just outside of the penalty box into the lower left corner.
Chris Tsonis earned his second assist of the season against Louisville City FC on June 20. second This was Tsonis’ second consecutive match with a point. Tyler Adams swung in a cross which Tsonis stopped for Derrick Etienne to slot home in the 50th minute. In the prior match on June 13 against Wilmington Hammerheads, Tsonis scored the lone goal in a 1-0 victory.
Red Bulls II leading goal scorer Anatole Abang has now scored two MLS goals in three matches. The 18-year-old, who’s scored four goals for Red Bulls II in five matches, started and played the full 90 minutes against Real Salt Lake on June 24, shooting five times with three shots on goal. He also served as a half time substitute on June 20 against Vancouver Whitecaps. Abang kept Red Bulls hopes alive in the 82nd minute when he scored his second goal of the MLS season. In the match prior on June 5 versus Houston Dynamo, Abang served as a 74th minute substitute and scored in the 90th minute, thanks to an assist from another Red Bulls II capped player, Marius Obekop. Abang has appeared in nine MLS matches for the Red Bulls, playing a total of 89 minutes.
Santiago Castano earned his second shutout of the season on June 20 against Louisville City FC. Castano, a homegrown player, recorded four saves in the road victory. His first shutout of the season was in the first match of the season on March 28, against Rochester Rhinos when he made four saves.
Marius Obekop, who has played seven matches for Red Bulls II, tallied an assist in his first MLS appearance of the season on June 5 versus Houston Dynamo. Obekop was an 86th minute substitute and played four minutes. He assisted Anatole Abang’s 90th minute goal.
Manolo Sanchez made his first MLS appearance for the Red Bulls on June 20 versus Vancouver Whitecaps as a 77th minute substitution. He played 13 minutes and connected with Chris Duvall in the 82nd minute who assisted Abang’s goal. He also played three minutes as a substitute versus Real Salt Lake, and recorded three shots and one shot on goal.
