RICHMOND, Va. (June 3, 2017) – New York Red Bulls II (5-5-2, 17 points) defeated Richmond Kickers, (2-6-4, 10 points) 1-0, at City Stadium to earn their first road win of the year.
New York jumped out to the early lead in the 38th minute, thanks to Brandon Allen. Vincent Bezecourt connected a low-driven cross to the onrushing Allen, who finished at the near the post for his seventh goal of 2017.
The assist from Bezecourt was his league-leading sixth on the season.
Red Bulls II went into halftime with a 1-0 lead.
Neither side made any changes at the half.
In the 53rd and 57th minute, Red Bulls II goalkeeper Rafael Diaz, who was making only his second start of the season, made two important saves to keep Richmond scoreless.
New York nearly doubled their lead in the 79th minute as Derrick Etienne Jr. served in a looping ball over the back of the Kickers defense that found the foot of Junior Flemmings, but his attempt rattled the crossbar.
Coach Wolyniec inserted New York Red Bulls third round MLS Superdraft pick Jordan Scarlett in the 84th minute in an effort to kill off the match.
Scarlett’s six-minute cameo would be his first professional appearance for Red Bulls II after suffering a preseason shoulder injury.
As stoppage-time expired, Richmond sent numbers forward looking for the equalizer but Diaz saved their attempts to keep the clean sheet.
Red Bulls II returns to action at MSU Soccer Park next weekend when Louisville City FC comes to town on Sunday, June 11 at 4 p.m. ET.
Lineup:
New York: Diaz; Abidor, Ndam, Bilyeu, O’Toole, Etienne, Jr. (Douglas Martinez, 90th minute), Basuljevic, Tinari (Jordan Scarlett, 84th minute), Valot, Bezecourt, Allen (Junior Flemmings, 66th minute)
Richmond: Turner, Lee, Roberts, Shanosky, Troyer, Durkin, Asante (Anthony Grant, 62nd minute), Owusu Sekyere (Finnlay Wyatt, 79th minute), Imura (Sunny Jane, 85th minute), Gonzalez, Kamara
Scoring Summary:
NY: Brandon Allen 7 (Vincent Bezecourt, 6) 38’
Discipline Summary:
NY: David Abidor, Caution 33’
RIC: Christopher Durkin, Caution 67’
New York Red Bulls II Head Coach John Wolyniec
“Richmond’s a tough place to play, first win here and first on the road for us. Both are important to us. We certainly didn’t play a perfect game but we competed well against a team that knows how to compete and fight. We got a goal and kept a clean sheet, which are equally as important. I’m proud of our guys.”
