MONTCLAIR, N.J. (July 21, 2017) – New York Red Bulls II (7-10-3, 24 points) defeated Toronto FC II (3-10-5, 14 points), 1-0, Friday at MSU Soccer Park thanks to a 27th minute goal by Vincent Bezecourt. The goal was his sixth on the year, assisted by Junior Flemmings.
With the win, NYRB II pushed themselves back into the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference pending this weekend’s results.
New York came out on the right foot during the match pressing TFC II and keeping the ball in the offensive half of the pitch leading to multiple opportunities going forward.
Red Bulls II nearly had the opening goal of the match in the 23rd minute of the match with Bezecourt sending a shot towards the upper ninety of the frame, but TFC II goalkeeper Mark Pais made a full-extension save to momentarily keep the match scoreless.
NYRB II responded just four minutes later with Flemmings executing the counterattack to perfection laying off a ball for Bezecourt to run with, who then calmly slotted it past Pais.
Seven minutes later, Zeiko Lewis skied an attempt inside the box off a set piece that would’ve doubled the lead before the half.
Toronto made two changes at the half that assisted in their ability to go forward in the second half but Rafael Diaz would remain untested.
Stefano Bonomo saw his first USL action of 2017, being inserted as a 72nd minute substitution for Lewis. Bonomo has been recovering from athletic pubalgia surgery that has kept him out of game action since the 2016 USL Cup Final.
Toronto pressed to find the equalizer in the final 15 minutes with Riccardo John’s half chance in stoppage time being their best opportunity but it did not connect.
New York heads back out on the road next weekend to take on Louisivlle City FC on Saturday, July 29.
New York: Diaz; Kutler, Schmoll, Scarlett, Powder; Najem (David Abidor, 75th minute), Tinari (Kazu Shigenobu, 63rd minute); Lewis (Stefano Bonomo, 72nd minute), Bezecourt; Flemmings, Valot
Toronto: Pais; Aubrey (Brandon Onkony, 46th minute), Taintor, Dunn, Fraser, James (Riccardo John, 67th minute), McCrary, Telfer, Daniels, Camargo, Andrews (Shaan Hundal, 46th minute)
Scoring:
New York: Bezecourt 27’
Toronto: None
Discipline:
New York: Tinari 54’
Toronto: Taintor 53’
