Hanover, N.J. (March 18, 2017) – New York Red Bulls II rounded out their preseason schedule with a final match before USL Kickoff against Bethlehem Steel FC, the MLS affiliate for the Philadelphia Union, scoring a 2-1 victory at the New York Red Bulls training facility.
First-teamer, Conor Lade made his way into the Starting XI playing in his first match since tearing his ACL last year. He played a full 45 minutes as he works on his match fitness.
In addition to Conor, Jamaican international and 2016 NYRB II playmaker Junior Flemmings came on as a substitute earning his first competitive minutes since he had surgery on his torn meniscus last year.
The match got off to a fast start as both teams looked to take control in the first ten minutes.
Bethlehem opened the scoring bright and early with a sixth minute goal from Charlie Davies as he beat an offside trap to put one past Rafael Diaz.
Just nine minutes later, Brandon Allen drew a penalty in the opposing team’s box earning a penalty-kick.
Allen would step right up and send one right down the middle to equalize, catching the keeper guessing the wrong way.
Both teams would enter halftime tied at one-apiece.
Red Bulls II would take the lead for good in the 54th minute, as Florian Valot would score a beautiful goal from 25+ yards out that found its way over the head of the Bethlehem keeper.
Bethlehem would press for an equalizer for the final 30 minutes but Diaz stomped out multiple attempts from Bethlehem to ensure the three points.
Lineup:
Diaz; Najem, Schmoll (Brett Nason, 82’) Ndam (David Abidor, 60’), Lade (Ethan Kutler, 45’); Metzger (Andrew Tinari, 82’), Basuljevic; Bezecourt (Bradley Nestor, 82’), Noel (Junior Flemmings, 37’; Trialist); Allen (Lucas Terci, 45’), Valot
Scoring:
BST: Davies 6’
NY: Allen 16’
NY: Valot 54’
