Recap: New York Red Bulls II get their first win, down Loudoun United, 2-1

New York Red Bulls II ruined Loudon United's home opener with a hard-fought 2-1 win at Segra Field on Tuesday night. With the Red Bulls II earning only a point during their homestand at MSU Soccer Park, head coach John Wolyniec wanted his team to start things off on the right foot.

And in just four minutes into the match, the New York Red Bulls II would do just that as struck first. Jeremy Rafanello found Omar Sowe at the center of the box, and he powered the ball at the top left corner of the net to give the visitors the lead, 1-0.

Loudoun United would quickly try to hit back and equalize, with Kairou Amoustapha looking dangerous with each attack. Still, goalkeeper Anthony Marcucci and the New York Red Bulls II defenders were up to the task thwarting him with key saves, timely tackles, dispossessing the ball from the pacey forward. 

But in the 27th minute, they would get on the scoreboard as Samson Sergei took the ball off a cross from Gaoussou Samake, juggled it in front of the net after it was initially saved by Marcucci, then bounced off the bar but managed to settled it down and gently tapped it in the net to even things up at one goal apiece.

In the second half, both teams would trade chances but would not score. But then, in the 63rd minute, Omar Sowe received a nice pass from Wikelman Carmona, and as he tried to dance around Loudoun goalkeeper Jermaine Fordah, he was fouled in the box. Mandela Egbo then converted the penalty to put the New York Red Bulls II ahead, 2-1.

The hosts tried to find another equalizer late on. Darluis Paz sent a looping finish on target after a corner kick had fallen loose in the center of the penalty area that Marcucci shifted across to save with 10 minutes to go. Loudoun then hit the woodwork for a second time with a minute to go as Massimo Ferrin’s free-kick from 20 yards at the top-left edge of the penalty area rang off the crossbar and behind, but that proved the last big chance as the Red Bulls II saw out the win.

Starting XI:

Loudon United: Fordah, Walz (DeShields - 45'), Samake, Ackwei, Mehl, Downs (Panchot - 61'), Amoustapha, Garay (Landru - 79'), Ku-Dipietro, Bolivar (Paz - 61'), Sergi (Ferrin - 61')

New York Red Bulls II: Marcucci, Zalinsky, Juan Castillio (Ofori - 60'), Egbo, Tombul, Edelman, LaCava (Acosta - 90+1), Carmona, Knapp, Rafanello (Mitchell - 45'), Sowe (Brummett - 75')

Scoring Summary: 

4' (New York Red Bulls II) Omar Sowe (1) assisted by Jeremy Rafanello

27' (Loudoun United) Samson Sergi (1) unassisted

64' (New York Red Bulls II) Mandela Egbo (penalty)

Discipline:

26' (New York Red Bulls II) Daniel Edelman (YELLOW CARD)

34' (Loudoun United) Kairou Amoustapha (YELLOW CARD)

42' (Loudoun United) Theodore Ku-Dipietro (YELLOW CARD)

53' (Loudoun United) Samson Sergi (YELLOW CARD)

74' (Loudoun United) Logan Panchot (YELLOW CARD)

75' (New York Red Bulls II) Omar Sowe (YELLOW CARD)

75' (Loudoun United) Darius Paz (YELLOW CARD)

90+3' (New York Red Bulls II) Austin Brummett (YELLOW CARD)