The New York Red Bulls U-23s closed out the 2016 season with a 6-0 win against Evergreen FC on July 16 at the Red Bulls Training Facility. The game was stopped in the 70th minute due to inclement weather and did not resume, bringing an end to their season.
Head Coach Rob Elliot entered his second season with the U-23s after spending many years with the youth teams, such as the U-20s. Chelsea FC’s Matt Miazga, the New England Revolution’s Juan Agudelo, Manchester United’s Matthew Olosunde and the Red Bulls’ Alex Muyl are just a few of the players Elliott has coached since joining the Red Bulls staff in 2008.
New York finished fourth in a very competitive Mid Atlantic Division behind Reading United AC, the Ocean City Nor’easters and the Baltimore Bohemians. Finishing with a record of 6-4-4, 23 points were not easy to come by for the Red Bulls U-23s, especially on the road.
New York found a lot more comfort at home this season, finishing with a record of 6-1-0 at the Red Bulls Training Facility. The Red Bulls scored 13 goals at home, including six in their last game, while only giving up three the entire season.
New York recorded five clean sheets this season, with each one coming at home. Michigan University goalkeeper Evan Louro led the way with three shutouts, two of which came in the last two games of the season. Monmouth University’s Eric Klenofsky shutout the two teams finishing at the top of the division, Reading and Ocean City.
Red Bulls U-23s were strong all season long against eventual division winners, Reading United. The first match ended in a 2-2 draw in Pennsylvania, but the next two meetings resulted in 1-0 victories for New York, even handing Reading their first loss of the season on June 15.
Entering his junior year at Georgetown University, Arun Basuljevic led the team in goals, assists and minutes played. The midfielder notched seven goals on the campaign as well as adding four assists in 1129 minutes played.
Ossining, N.Y. native Alex Tejera finished second on the team with five goals. Tejera scored four times in five matches at the end of the season, including a three-game goal streak.
All players will soon be returning to their respective colleges and will be looking to make an impact on the field and in the classroom. Next season will get underway in May 2017.
