It's not just Major League Soccer's New York Red Bulls that are on a hot streak. The NPSL version, the Red Bulls Academy Under-23s, won back-to-back games over the weekend to open the league season at 2-0. On Saturday, they opened the season with a 3-0 win over the Seacoast United Phantoms. Christian Battistesa scored the first-half goal, unassisted, in the 18th minute, and John Gurel had a part in both second-half goals, netting a goal in the 63rd minute on an assist from Victor Manosalvas and then helping on Keith Francisco’s score in the 88th minute. The RBA U23s followed that up with a 2-0 win over the Seacoast United Mariners on Sunday. The first goal was a connection between Gurel and Manosalvas, as Gurel served the ball from left wing and about 30 yards out into the box, where the unmarked Manosalvas chipped it home from near the penalty spot in the 11th minute. Gurel has a goal and two assists in two matches, as he followed a goal and an assist on Saturday with Sunday’s assist. Manosalvas, who scored the first goal Sunday with an assist from Gurel, had recorded an assist on Gurel’s Saturday goal.
NEWARK, NJ—The Red Bulls Academy Under-23 team scored a season-high six goals while remaining unscored upon in its first three matches, topping the visiting Rhode Island Reds, 6-0, Saturday afternoon in a National Premier Soccer League match on the campus of New Jersey Institute of Technology The Red Bulls, who were 3-0 and 2-0 winners at home last weekend against Seacoast United Phantoms and Seacoast United Mariners, respectively, scored four times in the first half against Rhode Island and added two more second-half scores in a game played on a humid afternoon with temperatures in the mid to upper 80s. The home team struck four times in the first half-hour, with the opening goal coming in the eighth minute when a miscommunication resulted in a back pass finding its way into the Rhode Island net for an own goal. After that Victor Manosalvas scored twice, netting goals in the 14th and 29th minutes, sandwiching a score by Sam Adjei in the 18th minute. Adjei assisted on both of the Manosalvas goals, while Giorgi Chirgadze also picked up an assist on the Manosalvas tally in the 14th minute. Brandon Adler helped out on Adjei’s goal. The two Red Bull goals in the second half were scored by substitutes, as David Westlake found the mark in the 69th minute, assisted by starter Mark Brode and then Westlake set up fellow sub Christian Battistesa on a goal in the 89th minute. Rhode Island’s best chance actually came in the final minute, when Paulo Mendes struck a hard 15-yarder that was deflected by Red Bulls keeper Shelson Dorleans up onto the crossbar, where it bounded back out into the field a few seconds before the final whistle. The final shots were even at eight apiece, with Dorleans making four saves to earn the clean sheet, while Rhode Island goalkeeper Bryan Ocampo did not have a save, as he was stuck trying to defend plays that forced him to come off his line. “To (Rhode Island’s) credit, they tried to press and come at us,” said Red Bulls coach John Wolyniec. “It gave us some trouble, but when we succeeded in connecting some passes, it produced great opportunities that we converted.” After the own goal, Manosalvas was on the end of a nice combination of one-touch passes, with Chirgadze finding Adjei, who centered to Manosalvas to make it 2-0 less than 15 minutes in. Less than five minutes later, Adler sent a long pass out of the back up the middle to a streaking Adjei, who, having beaten the defense at the center stripe, took on Ocampo 1-v-1 and fired the ball into the net for a 3-0 Red Bull lead. Next, Adjei, who had been the runner on the previous goal, set up the fourth goal, sending a quick pass through to Manosalvas for another breakaway and a 4-0 lead for the Red Bulls in the 29th minute. Both teams substituted liberally in the second half, with two new Red Bulls coming on at the break and five more subs entering after that. Rhode Island, which made one first-half change, brought on four more players off the bench as the second half progressed. Westlake, who came on the 65th minute, got on the score sheet quickly, running onto a long through pass down the middle from Brode and finishing another breakaway in the 69th minute. Westlake later sent a cross from right wing into the box, where Battistesa took the serve and shot past Ocampo to close the scoring in the final couple of minutes. “It’s great to start off 3-0,” said Wolyniec. “We knew with our first five matches at home, we had to get off to a strong start, and we have. Scoring 11 goals (in three matches) is impressive, too. But I think I’m more proud that we didn’t give up any.” Next on the schedule is a 1 pm Sunday game against Mass United FC at NJIT.
NEWARK, NJ—David Najem scored the game-winning goal in the 60th minute, moments after entering as a substitute for the New York Red Bulls Academy U23, capping a come-from-behind 2-1 Red Bulls win over visiting Mass United FC Sunday afternoon in a National Premier Soccer League match on the campus of New Jersey Institute of Technology. The Red Bulls, who hadn’t surrendered a goal in winning their three previous matches to open the season, found themselves in unfamiliar territory on Sunday, both in terms of giving up a goal and in playing from behind. Mass United drew first blood on a goal in the 13th minute, as John Bavota finished a setup from Denivaldo DaSilva. The 1-0 lead held up for the visitors through the rest of the first half and into the second, when John Gurel equalized for the Red Bulls on a penalty kick in the 50th minute. The home team broke the tie 10 minutes later when Christian Battistesa sent a long ground pass out of midfield down the middle into the goal area to Sam Adjei, who flicked a short pass left to a wide-open Najem, who made no mistake from 15 yards, driving the ball past Mass United keeper Baboucarr Njie. The match was far from decided, however, with 30 minutes on the clock and an additional six minutes stoppage time added at the end. Mass United had two excellent chances in the final timed two minutes. The first, in the 89th minute, was a direct free kick taken from just outside the box by Marcus Pizzetti, whose try sailed inches over the top. The second, in the 90th minute, was a 15-yarder from the left side, taken by Anton DaSilva and saved by Red Bulls goalkeeper Keith Cardona. Mass United FC finished with a 12-11 edge in total shots, with Cardona making two saves, both in the second half, and Njie saving three, all in the first half, for the visitors. Mass United, fresh off a 3-1 win a day earlier at Northeast-Atlantic Conference-leading Brooklyn Italians, had the early edge against the Red Bulls and the Lynn, Mass-based squad was rewarded with the first goal. Denivaldo DaSilva, a dangerous playmaker, broke free down the middle and sent a pass ahead to Bavota, who stayed on side and then made his move, advancing the ball a couple of strides and then shooting past Cardona, the Red Bull keeper, in the 13th minute. “I was disappointed in our start,” said Red Bulls coach John Wolyniec. “We were flat and sloppy early. But give (Mass United) credit. They came out with energy and they have some guys up top who can create problems. They scored that first goal and it put us under pressure for the rest of the game. Down a goal at the half, the Red Bulls were awarded a penalty kick early in the second half, when Mass United’s Daniel Antonio was called for a foul on a raised elbow in the penalty area and issued a yellow card in the 49th minute. It was the first of three second-half yellow cards, with the next two going to Red Bulls. Awarded the penalty kick, Najem shot straight on, as the keeper, Njie guessed wrong, diving toward his left post. Najem’s game winner came about 10 minutes after the equalizer and less than a minute after Najem had come on to replace Christian Johnson. “I’m happy with our response,” said Wolyniec. “We got things sorted out and began to get more of the play in the first half. Then we got the penalty and, eventually, the second goal early in the second half.” Next up for the Red Bulls is a key conference matchup against Brooklyn Italians on Thursday, May 31, at 8 pm at NJIT. That game will be the fifth at home to open the season for the Red Bulls, who will then play seven of the remaining nine games on the road.
NEWARK, NJ—The New York Red Bulls Academy U23 made it five wins in as many starts, topping the Brooklyn Italians, 2-1, Thursday night in a National Premier Soccer League game on the campus of New Jersey Institute of Technology. The Red Bulls scored twice in the dying minutes of the first half and later survived a failed penalty kick by the Brooklyn Italians in the 70th minute and finally a goal for the visitors early in stoppage time added at the end of the second half. The Brooklyn Italians took the first eight shots of the night, but the Red Bulls were the first on the scoreboard, as John Gurel recovered a rebound in the left side of the penalty area and knocked the ball inside the far post in the 43rd minute. Soon thereafter, Christian Battistesa, on the run, gained control outside of the box and carried straight ahead, putting the ball in the net through a diving attempt at his feet by Brooklyn goalkeeper Nathan Stockie in the 45th minute. The 2-0 lead held up until early in stoppage time, when Moriken Sangary floated a chip shot across the mouth of the goal and inside the right post to finally get the Brooklyn Italians on the board. About 20 minutes earlier, the Italians were awarded a penalty kick when Sangary was fouled. Jumol Harewood took the penalty, but his waist-high try in the 70th minute sailed several yards wide of the right post. Red Bulls goalkeeper Shelson Dorleans did not have to make a save on that play, but he literally stood tall on two rapid-fire big stops in the 29th minute to keep the game scoreless. First, Nathaniel Simons had an open shot from the right side and Dorleans, staying on his feet and standing straight up, punched the shot away. But the rebound went right to Harewood on the left side and his quick return shot was again punched away by Dorleans, who finished the match with four saves. The Brooklyn Italians used a goalkeeper in each half. Stockie started and did not make a save while allowing the two late first-half goals. Antonio Salluzzi came on at the break and made three saves over the final 45 minutes. The first Red Bulls goal began on a shot by Sean Davis that was blocked by the defense, but caromed straight to Gurel, who had time to briefly set himself and send the ball at a 45-degree angle inside the far post. The second goal, by Battistesa, came before the Italians defense got settled after giving up the first score. The final shot totals showed the Brooklyn Italians with a 15-7 advantage in total attempts, although the possession was closer than that and much of the action took place back-and-forth at midfield, with only five shots on goal by each side. “I’m happy to be 5-0, especially with a win against a team (the Brooklyn Italians) that had the better of us last year,” said Red Bulls coach John Wolyniec. “I thought it was a good effort and we deserved the three points. “John Gurel came up big in the clutch for us again. Without him giving us the lead, things could have been even more difficult than they were. I also thought Widner St. Cyr had a strong game in midfield. He worked his way out of some tough spots and he kept possession of the ball.” Thursday’s victory pushed the Red Bulls to the top in the Northeast-Atlantic Conference, with the 15 points in five starts. They are three points clear of the Brooklyn Italians, who have four wins and two losses in six starts. Now, the Red Bulls will play seven of their nine remaining games on the road, starting with a Saturday, 5 pm game vs. Seacoast United Phantoms at the Portsmouth (NH) High School Stadium.
US Open Cup First Round schedule (May 7) Vermont Voltage (PDL) at New York Red Bulls U-23s (NPSL) Red Bull Training Facility; Whippany, N.J. – 8 p.m. ET
USOC SECOND ROUND May 13 Arizona United SC (USL Pro) 10:00 Portland Timbers U23s (PDL) May 14 Jacksonville United FC (NPSL) 4:30 Orlando City U23s (PDL) May 14 Dayton Dutch Lions (USL Pro) 5:00 Schwaben AC (USASA) May 14 Icon FC (USASA) 5:30 Baltimore Bohemians (PDL) May 14 New York Red Bulls U23s (NPSL) 7:00 Pittsburgh Riverhounds (USL Pro) May 14 NY Greek American Atlas (USASA) 7:00 Ocean City Nor’easters (PDL) May 14 Greater Binghamton FC (NPSL) 7:00 Reading United A.C. (PDL) May 14 Richmond Kickers (USL Pro) 7:00 RVA FC (NPSL) May 14 Harrisburg City Islanders (USL Pro) 7:05 Lehigh Valley United (NPSL) May 14 Carolina Dynamo (PDL) 7:00 Charlotte Eagles (USL Pro) May 14 RWB Adria (USASA) TBA Michigan Bucks (PDL) May 14 Ocala Stampede (PDL) 7:30 Orlando City (USL Pro) May 14 Panama City Beach Pirates (PDL) 7:30 Charleston Battery (USL Pro) May 14 Wilmington Hammerheads (USL Pro) 7:30 Chattanooga FC (NPSL) May 14 Western Mass Pioneers (PDL) 7:35 Rochester Rhinos (USL Pro) May 14 Brooklyn Italians SC (NPSL) 8:00 Jersey Express (PDL) May 14 Oklahoma City Energy (USL Pro) 8:30 Tulsa Athletics (NPSL) May 14 Real Colorado Foxes (PDL) 8:30 Des Moines Menace (USASA) May 14 North Texas Rayados (USASA) 8:30 Austin Aztex (PDL) May 14 Orange County Blues (USL Pro) 9:00 Fresno Fuego (PDL) May 14 Red Force (USASA) 9:15 Laredo Heat (PDL) May 14 Sacramento Republic (USL Pro) TBA Ventura County Fusion (PDL) May 14 PSA Elite (USASA) TBA San Diego Flash (NPSL) May 14 Cal FC (USASA) 10:30 LA Galaxy II (USL Pro)
Game summary @ http://thecup.us/2014-us-open-cup-r...lls-u23s-spoil-vermonts-tournament-debut-2-1/ Interesting lineup for us: New York Red Bulls Under-23: 1-Evan Louro, 5-Anthony Viteri, 3-Scott Thomsen, 4-Kevin Politz (12-Bonny London 76’), 9-Kendan Anderson (14-Gabriel Bagot 65’), 6-Sean Sheridan, 7-Dan Bedoya, 15-Chris Lema, 10-Sammy Adjei, 17-Arun Basuljevic, 11-Franklin Castellanos (8-Chris Thorshiem 78’) Substitutes not used: 18-Keith Cardona, 2-Dwayne Dove, 16-Kevin Romero, 13-Keith Francisco Weird mix of classes and some guys I've never heard of. Real nice for the young guys in the U23 first US Open Cup win.
so do you happen to have any idea who the Coach is for this NPSL team this year??? btw...the referee on this match is really an up and comer, I would guess that you'll be seeing him work in MLS within the next 2-3 years or so...
NYRB U23s lose 3-1 in Pittsburgh. All USOC results are attached from last evening: http://www.socceramerica.com/article/58066/usasa-npsl-and-pdl-teams-pull-upsets.html
http://www.npsl.info/teams/64214691/21730387-64214777/TEAM.html so far the NYRB U23s have a 6-0 record and only one goal allowed...not too shabby
decisions decisions...staying with the NPSL or going USL PRO: http://www.bigapplesoccer.com/teams/redbulls2.php?article_id=37544
A move to the USL Pro would be much, much better. Playing against the likes of Richmond, LA Galaxy II, Sacramento, Rochester etc in a fully-professional setting would be much, much better than playing against Brooklyn, Seacoast United, New York Athletic Club, and Rhode Island in a pretty much amateur setting.
I'm not ready to read overmuch into what Petke is saying, but it is clear club management is stingy about some things. Then again, the club has cashed in quite often on selling young players, an outcome that would only increase if they invested in an even more integrated development set-up.
I don't think it's an either/or choice, more of an and also. NPSL is there for the college guys for the summer. I can't imagine RB not wanting to key an eye on their prospects over the summer. Players can't do USL Pro and then go back to college.
641 SF! Wed Jul 16 New York Red Bulls U-23 vs Brooklyn Italians Red Bull Training Facility Field 1 (turf)
Wed, July 16, 2014 GAME# Time Home Away Location Semifinal 641 SF! 7:00 pm New York Red Bulls U-23 4-3 Brooklyn Italians Red Bull Training Facility Field 1 (turf) 642 SF2 7:30 pm D.C. United U23 NPSL 0-1 GBFC Thunder Maryland SoccerPlex Sat, July 19, 2014 GAME# Time Home Away Location Championship 650 7:00 pm New York Red Bulls U-23 vs GBFC Thunder Red Bull Training Facility Field 1 (turf)
GBFC 0 NYRB U23s 4 Chattanooga FC and Sacramento Gold FC are other NPSL teams still left in contention. certainly appears that Lansing United is next for the Baby Bulls in the NPSL semi-finals: http://lanunited.com/matches/new-york-red-bulls-u-23/
NPSL Playoffs Powered by Mitre July 21, 2014 The National Premier Soccer League is proud to announce that the NPSL Playoffs Powered by Mitre will begin this weekend (July 26-27). The first match will be South Region Champion Chattanooga FC hosting the West Region Champion Sacramento Gold on Saturday, July 26 at 7:30 pm ET. The game will be played at Finley Stadium in Chattanooga, TN. Tickets for Chattanooga vs. Sacramento will be $10.00 (available online or at the gate) with season passes being honored for free entry. Children 5 and under are free. The second match will be Northeast Region Champion New York Red Bulls U-23s hosting the Midwest Region Champion Lansing United on Sunday, July 27 at 7:00 pm ET. The game will be played at the Red Bull Training Facility in Whippany, NJ. Admission for the New York/Lansing match will be free. However, the gates will be closed once capacity for the facility is reached.
New York Red Bulls@NewYorkRedBulls10 mins U23s GOAL! Mike Innocenzi finishes off a cross from Rhys Williiams in the 78th minute to put the Red Bulls up 2-0 over Lansing United.