Red Bull News Network

By Daniel Feuerstein Today is a sad day for all New York Red Bulls fans. From Michael Batista who covers New York City Soccer, has informed us that the club will not be sending their first division side to the US Open Cup as their Next Pro Third Division Side will take their place. This decision by the Red Bulls is sad and disheartening, as they won't put out their top players on the pitch to start the third round of the 2024 US Open Cup. When this club started as the MetroStars, they were involved in every single season from 1997 competing against the clubs from the lower levels to MLS to attempt to win the National Championship of American Soccer. They have made runs and sadly have been beaten by the minnows in this single elimination cup competition. Many of us have informed friends who aren't soccer fans that this mirrors the NCAA Final Four tournament every year. There were seasons when this club had to go through Open Cup qualifying to reach the round to enter, but ended...

by Anthony J. Merced New York Red Bulls have announced that their MLS Next Pro affiliate team will take their place in the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup for the 2024 campaign. This announcement comes after negotiations between Major League Soccer and the US Soccer Federation on the format and how first division teams will compete in the tournament. The overall negotiations will see eight MLS clubs in the country's oldest soccer competition. From there 11 Next Pro affiliate clubs, including the New York Red Bulls II, will enter the competition as well. The inclusion of these clubs was based on the 2023 MLS Next Pro standings which saw the Red Bulls II finish in fourth place in their Group. The team eventually was eliminated in the playoffs. This is a drastic change from what has been done in the past. MLS clubs participated in the later rounds of the tournament with affiliate clubs being barred from the competition dating back to 2016. The last time they did compete, the team was eliminate...

photo from New York Red Bulls II by Anthony J. Merced New York Red Bulls II will look to improve on their successful initial campaign in MLS Next Pro following the announcement of the team's schedule for 2024. The highlights consist of trips to Chattanooga FC, the league's newest team in October and playoff rematches with Chicago Fire II and New England II. Last season Red Bulls II finished in fourth place, a rebound after several unsuccessful campaigns in USL Championship that saw them miss the playoffs each year following 2019. The team mostly filled with prospects and developing players found it difficult to compete against more veteran competition but were able to adjust and grow in MLS Next Pro, a league designated third division in US Soccer. The team won their first playoff game against Chicago Fire II but fell to New England at Foxboro, leaving them feeling as if there was still more to play for. Head coach Ibrahim Sekgaya will remain as the team's coach while also ...

photo from New York Red Bulls by Anthony J. Merced Former New York Red Bulls II forward Roald Mitchell returns to the club, after finishing his time at Wake Forest, and is being rewarded with an MLS contract through 2026. The 21 year-old will also have an opportunity to stay with the team in 2027 and 2028 as his contract has two options that can be exercised. Mitchell, a New Jersey native, last played professionally in 2021 where he made 10 appearances and scored two goals for the Red Bulls II when they were in the second division USL Championship. His career has revolved around Red Bull, coming through their youth academy before being promoted through the ranks and making his first professional appearance on April 30th of 2021. He scored is first goal just one month later against the Charleston Battery. With Wake Forest he appeared in over 50 matches, scoring 19 goals and notching nine assists. He also has the distinction of being one of only six players in his college club's hist...

photo by Matt Kremkau by Anthony J. Merced New York Red Bulls II of MLS Next Pro have announced their year-end roster moves. The team had a successful first year in the new third division, making the playoffs for the first time in several years. The team has exercised options five players, including Ssefubu, Dylan Sullivan, Ibrahim Kasule, Juan Gutierrez and Omar Valencia. Tanner Rosborough and Mohammed Sofo will return to the club with no extensions. Both players have contracts that expire at the end of 2024. Six players will not be returning the club, Oladayo Thomas, Amos Shapiro-Thomas, Henry Wise, Ovante Mullings, Diego Kauan and Will Meyer. While these players will not be returning under their current contracts, players have been signed to new deals with the reserve team or given MLS contracts given their performances. Davi Alexander and Aidan Stokes will be joining New York Red Bulls MLS squad as homegrown players in the 2024 season. 

photo by Matt Kremkau This week Anthony is joined by Dan Feuerstein to talk about the loss New York Red Bulls suffered against Chicago Fire FC this past weekend and Jenna Tonelli joins to discuss the surprising loss Gotham FC took against the Houston Dash. Also a recap of all the happenings around Europe with Red Bull Salzburg and RB Leipzig. RBNN: The Podcast · RBNN Podcast: Dan Feuerstein and Jenna Tonelli Talk Red Bulls and Gotham

Photo Credit: New York Red Bulls II by Garry Redman MONTCLAIR, NJ - The New York Red Bulls II started off on the right foot and never looked back en route to a dominant 4-1 victory over the Chicago Fire FC II. The match kicked off with an early goal from Frank Ssebufu in the 13th minute, putting New York in the lead. They continued to showcase their offensive prowess with a goal from O'Vonte Millings in the 25th minute, extending their advantage. In the second half, the Chicago Fire FC II fought back with a goal from Luka Prpa in the 56th minute, narrowing the gap. However, New York's defense held strong for most of the game. Ibrahim Kasule was the standout player of the night, scoring two crucial goals for the New York Red Bulls II. His first goal came in the 45th minute, just before halftime, and he sealed the victory with another goal in the 90th minute, completing his brace. Head coach Ibrahim Sekagaya said after the match, "We talked about it at the end of the season ...

photo from New York Red Bulls by Anthony J. Merced Red Bulls II prepared for the playoffs all season and now that they are here, head coach Ibrahim Sekagya is overjoyed with his team's performance following a 4-1 win over Chicago Fire 2. The game which saw New York dominate for most of the fixture, showed just how the high pressure offense has split apart teams in MLS Next Pro. "Our mentality from the first half was fantastic," said head coach Sekagya. "We knew that we were home. We needed to press high. We got some goals but when we came back in the second half I think we dropped a little bit and they had some chances with the ball. They're young players, what was most important was a win for today." New York led the game by two goals before the 30th minute, showing their superiority with nearly 60 percent possession through the game. Individual efforts from Ibrahim Kasule also showed the creative nature of the players on the field as well. While most have ...

photo by Matt Kremkau by Anthony J. Merced New York Red Bulls goalkeeper A.J. Marcucci suffered a hamstring injury that has required surgery and will miss the remainder of the season according to the team. Marcucci has spent most of the campaign with New York Red Bulls II of MLS Next Pro and suffered the injury while playing against Columbus Crew 2 last weekend. Marcucci, a 2021 MLS Superdraft pick for the Red Bulls, signed an MLS contract that year but has yet to make more than substitute appearance for the first team. Instead, the 23 year-old has played 53 games for the second team in the USL Championship from 2021 thru 2022 and now in MLS Next Pro.  The loss will surely have an affect on New York Red Bulls II's ability to qualify for the 2023 playoffs and give the first team one less body in case of injury later in the MLS campaign.

photo by Matt Kremkau by Anthony J. Merced There was no bright side according to head coach Ibrahim Sekagya after the New York Red Bulls II 2-1 loss to Toronto FC II on Wednesday night. The game, which seemed poised for the Baby Bulls to win easily, quickly fell apart in the latter stages of the game.  "I don't think we did what our plan was," said Sekagya after the game. "We gave it away, which we looked at as a game that we needed to win. This is exactly a learning one. It's disappointing with all the players, not just seeing one you can name. It was not our day. You just have to learn from this and then we know we have another game coming." New York Red Bulls II have had a positive first season in MLS Next Pro but the young side has had lapses. Most recently a 1-1 draw against New England Revolution II and now a home loss that kept the team from climbing in the standings.  Both goals came late in the game as Toronto equalized in the 87th minute thanks to ...

photo by Matt Kremkau by Anthony J. Merced New York Red Bulls II start their new journey in MLS Next Pro with a disappointing shootout loss to Columbus Crew 2 at MSU Soccer Park on Sunday night. A late equalizer in stoppage forced a shootout which was one after several misses by both teams. New York used their typical press to push Columbus around early. The game's only goal came in the 7th minute when a turnover saw Carmona with the ball at the top of the box. He took his shot just outside the box and scoring past the Columbus keeper. From there New York continued to press but saw Columbus gain a foothold in the game. The second half was much more back-and-forth with both sides having chances at goal. New York hit the post and over-passed the ball in front of goal. Columbus ran into the physicality of the Red Bulls but were able to create mismatches at times that they couldn't capitalize on. It wasn't until stoppage time that Abdi Mohamed headed a ball past the Red Bulls k...

New York Red Bulls II are not done replenishing their ranks with the announcement of Henry Wise joining the club. The former Queens Park Rangers and Derby County player has only seen professional action with Watford FC in an FA Cup game but is looking to build on his training in the United States. "We think he will have an impact on our midfield group," said Sporting Director Denis Hamlett.  Wise is yet another signing, joining Yostin Salinas who was brought in earlier in the week. The 22 year-old is still pending approval from both the federation and USL so expectations are that he won't appear in tomorrow's game against Charleston. New York Red Bulls II has a history of taking younger talent and developing them into first team players. Aaron Long and Florian Valot are just two examples of talent brought in from other clubs to continue development. Wise will join a very young and talented group that is hoping to make an impact on the rest of the USL Championship seas...

New York Red Bulls II have added Colombian defender Yostin Salinas on loan from Sporting Football Club for the rest of the 2022 season. The 23 year-old will hope to make an impression on the coaching staff heading into MLS Next Pro in 2023.  Salinas has played in over 3,000 minutes in the Costa Rican first division and over 6,000 with his previous club, Deportivo Saprissa from 2017 to 2021. The addition adds experience to a club full of young and developing players. "Yostin has a lot of professional experience," said Sporting Director Denis Hamlett. "We are excited to add him to our group. We feel he has the tools to succeed in our system." Salinas could be available as soon as this Friday when New York Red Bulls II welcome the Charleston Battery to MSU Soccer Park in the USL Championship regular season. 

photo from New York Red Bulls II New York Red Bulls II may be having a forgettable season but they had a dramatic win over Atlanta United 2 with a stoppage time goal from O'Vante Mullings to grab all three points on Tuesday night at MSU Soccer Park. The win was only the third of the season for New York but was the payoff of hard work from some of the younger players.  "He deserved to have a goal," said interim head coach Ibrahim Sekagya on Mullings' winner. "We have been telling him every time to go in the box and you can see what helps us. If you have the wingbacks who continue the attack and come in the box. You can see Curtis (Ofori) could have had two goals today. That's so important to have those two guys going forward. O'Vante's goal was so important to him." The night was shaping up like a typical 2022 night for New York. Despite some strong pressing efforts, the team fell behind midway through the second half. That was preceded by a red c...

photo by Matt Kremkau This week's episode sees Anthony Merced and Luke Hume preview the game against Chicago and talk about other topics in the Red Bull Soccer universe: RBNN: The Podcast · RBNN The Pod: 04-29-2022 Chicago Preview and more...

photo from New York Red Bulls II New York Red Bulls II had one of their best home performances of the season dashed by a late Tampa Bay Rowdies goal as they settled for a draw at MSU Soccer Park on Saturday afternoon. A first have stoppage time goal from Jeremy Rafanello gave New York the lead but they couldn't hold it as Leo Fernandez scored in the 85th minute to take a share of the points for his team.  "We're just out of luck and fortune," said head coach Gary Lewis. "We've given everything, again, I feel like that's been every single week." The frustrating results have seen a talented but inexperienced New York club start their last season in the USL Championship with a 1-5-1 record. They have just four points after seven games and are quickly seeing their chances of returning to the playoffs diminish before the midway point of the season.  The Tampa Bay Rowdies are one of the best teams in the USL Championship but New York showed more than enoug...

photo from New York Red Bulls New York Red Bulls II are just five games into the 2022 USL Championship season but are in 13th place and already 11 points off of the top spot in the Eastern Conference. New head coach Gary Lewis knew he had a difficult task ahead of him but rash decisions from players and a congested schedule have dug a hole that the team will have to work had to dig out of after the first month. "It's not like we're just looking at player development," said Lewis during a meeting with the press. "It's alright saying you want to make the playoffs; everybody can say that. It's how the actually accumulate enough points to make the playoffs, that's what is important." So far the bulk of Red Bulls II games have been against tough, independent USL opposition. Their one win came against Atlanta United 2, a team that is also struggling. Their other MLS 2 opponents, Loudoun United, started fast but have fallen quickly over their past two g...

photo from New York Red Bulls II Despite a need for forward options, the New York Red Bulls have sent rising forward Omar Sowe to the Icelandic league with Breidablik for the 2022 MLS season. The announcement comes after speculation of the move circulated the internet and talk between critics about New York's need to solidify the forward position after continued struggles by Patryk Klimala. Sowe, a Gambian international player, led New York Red Bulls II in goals in 2021 with eight and made one MLS appearance after signing a first team contract in the middle of that year. In total, Sowe played in 47 games for Red Bulls II and scored 17 goals over that window. His improved form was notable with his inclusion into the first team, which makes the move all that much more shocking. "We want to see Omar get minutes and grow professionally at a top division," said Sporting Director Denis Hamlett.  A "top division" is certainly not what Sowe will be entering. While there...

photo from New York Red Bulls II MONTCLAIR, NJ - Tyler Freeman scored a brace, and Jacob Green added another as Loudoun United came in and effectively spoiled the home opener for the New York Red Bulls II, 3-0 at MSU Soccer Park Saturday afternoon. Unlike the torrential downpour that the team had to endure in Atlanta , this time around, the weather was much more cooperative, albeit under overcast skies in Northern New Jersey. The Red Bulls II started the match on the right foot early on, but was quickly reduced to 10 men after Christopher Craigwell was sent off with red card after a very reckless tackle to Jackson Hopkins in the 26th minute.  Despite losing an outfield player for the second straight match, the hosts had a golden chance just 10 minutes later when Sam Williams intercepted a pass and immediately forund John Murphy, who flicked the ball over to Jordan Abadayo-Smith for a low finished that was keenly blocked by Loudoun United goalkeeper Luis Zamudio. But it would be the...

photo from New York Red Bulls II Playing their second match within a week, the New York Red Bulls II traveled north to Fifth Third Bank Stadium to face Atlanta United 2, who was also looking for a win in their home opener after losing to Louisville City back on Saturday.  New York Red Bulls II had a chance to get on the scoreboard first as forward, and team captain John Murphy took a pass from Samuel Williams, and he let off a shot that slammed off the post in the 17th minute.  With heavy rain conditions not quite ideal, players were slipping and sliding all over the pitch. Atlanta Defender Aiden McFadden was given a straight red card after a rough tackle to Juan Castillio in the 19th minute, reducing the home side's numbers to ten men. Murphy had another opportunity to redeem himself from the earlier missed opportunity in the 27th minute, but Atlanta goalkeeper Justin Garces was there to deny him this time around, making huge saves in back-to-back fashion, keeping the match s...