The New York Red Bulls Under-16s will host Chivas USA in the Quarterfinals of the playoffs on Wednesday, July 8 at the Red Bulls Training Facility. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. EDT.
The Red Bulls U-16 team began the first of three USDA playoff matches on Tuesday, June 23 in Westfield, Indiana, versus IMG Academy. The Red Bulls won in convincing fashion, scoring five goals and managing only to concede once. Zaire Bartley was named man of the match for his overall outstanding play and for his two second half goals that helped seal the win for the Red Bulls.
The following day, the Red Bulls were called right back into action against Solar Chelsea from Texas. It was another win for them as they continued their impressive scoring from their last match, tallying six goals while still only conceding once. Omir Fernandez was named man of the match for not only assisting on two goals for the Red Bulls, but for scoring one himself. This win brought the Red Bulls point total to the maximum of six in two days and put them on top of their playoff group.
Their final playoff game was against another MLS Academy, Portland Timbers, who also had total of six points. Therefore, a win or a tie was all that the Red Bulls needed to advance to the quarterfinals. The Red Bulls started shaky and they found themselves trailing for the first time in the playoffs, as they conceded an early goal after only three minutes. The Red Bulls quickly responded by scoring two consecutive goals in the first half and then cemented their lead by scoring an additional two goals to start the second. Although the Timbers were able to pull one back, it was not enough to bring them victory. Mason Deeds was deemed man of the match. The Red Bulls finished on top of their group and advanced to the next round of play against Chivas USA.
