Match Information
- New York Red Bulls II (32 points, fifth place) vs. Charlotte Independence (24 points, eighth place)
- Wednesday, August 12, 2015
- Red Bull Arena, Harrison, N.J.
- 7:30 p.m. EDT (WATCH: Live stream available on NewYorkRedBulls.com/Live)
- #NYvCLT – Follow on Twitter: @NYRBII
- TICKETS: NYRB II vs. Charlotte Independence
New York Red Bulls II are set to take on Charlotte Independence for the second time in eight days on Wednesday night in what could be Michael Bustamante’s first return to Red Bull Arena since playing with the Red Bulls from 2013-14. In last week’s fixture, the clubs played out a draw, 2-2, in North Carolina. This time Red Bulls II return home to Red Bull Arena where they will try to bounce back from their first loss in nearly a month against Wilmington Hammerheads FC over the weekend, 4-2.
With only six matches remaining in the USL regular season, Red Bulls II finds themselves in a tight playoff picture. Currently in fifth place, only five points separate seventh place from fourth. Only the top six teams in each conference qualify for the playoffs.
Despite last weekend’s loss, Chris Tsonis scored his team leading fifth goal against Wilmington. Tsonis, also the team leader in points (12), recorded his first multi-goal game against Richmond Kickers on July 25. The forward has played in 20 of 22 matches for New York.
Marius Obekop enters the match on a three-match point streak. Last weekend, he scored the opening goal against the Hammerheads to level the match early. In his last match against Charlotte, he provided the game-tying assist to Leo Stolz, and scored a few days prior versus Saint Louis FC. The forward has four goals and two assists on the season.
Konrad Plewa will be serving a one-game suspension after receiving a red card against Wilmington and will not be available against Charlotte Independence.
Charlotte Independence had the weekend off after playing against Red Bulls II last week, and stand in eighth place of the Eastern Conference. Charlotte is outside of the playoffs, but have four games in hand on New York trail by eight points so the six-pointer on Wednesday will be crucial for the Independence’s playoff hopes.
Ex-Red Bulls midfielder Michael Bustamante may play his first game since joining Charlotte Independence this summer. The former first round pick in the 2013 MLS SuperDraft signed with Charlotte on July 30. With the Red Bulls, he played four matches and made one start, tallying one assist with the First Team. He also appeared in 11 of 12 reserve games, making nine starts, and finished third on the team with three goals, adding one assist. Bustamante did not make an MLS regular season appearance in 2014, as he underwent season-ending surgery to repair a torn right ACL.
On-loan forward Dominique Badji had a phenomenal game against New York last week, grabbing a brace before being subbed off in the second half. Midfielder Enzo Martinez punished NYRB II as well, assisting on both Charlotte goals. The Independence will also regain the services of Alex Martinez who served a one-game suspension last week.
SUSPENDED AFTER NEXT YELLOW: Daniel Bedoya, NYRB II; none, Charlotte Independence
SUSPENDED: Konrad Plewa, NYRB II; none, Charlotte Independence
