New York City II fell 0-1 in a frustrating game to a New York Red Bulls II seeking redemption. It was the second Hudson River Derby Jr. in as many weeks: The loss took place just eight days after NYCFC II’s thrilling 4-2 win saw the Baby Blues advance to the next round of the US Open Cup at the expense of their rival.
A penalty called for Red Bulls II in the second half secured the close win. The teams were significantly different from those that played in the US Open Cup last week as Generation adidas Cup attendees returned home, and as members of the First Team were not in the squads.
New York City II: 14 shots, 6 shots on target, 55% possession, 473 passes, 74.4% pass accuracy, 13 fouls, 4 saves
New York Red Bulls II: 13 shots, 5 shots on target, 45% possession, 396 passes, 73% pass accuracy, 17 fouls, 6 saves
Goals:
• New York Red Bulls II, Roald Mitchell, 66' (p)
Redemption for the Red Bulls
The first half was a tight affair that saw both teams create significant chances that they couldn’t finish.
Jonathan Shore continued his excellent form, proving to be a consistent threat down the left. In the 18th minute, he cut in and forced a difficult save from the Red Bulls II keeper, who then had to make a second save from a JJ Jimenez strike. The left side of play was NYCFC’s most dangerous early in the game.
Towards the end of the half, the Baby Bulls had the better opportunities. In the 28th minute, Red Bulls II’s Julian Hall was played through on goal but he lifted his chipped shot slightly too high. Eleven minutes later, striker Roald Mitchell had an open shot from the top of the box that barely missed when it went wide of the frame of the goal.
Possession ≠ Goals
At the half, NYCFC II had the majority of possession with 57%, but the scoreboard read 0-0. NYCFC II had six shots, with four on target, to the Red Bulls II’s nine shots, with three on target.
Three minutes into the second half, the Baby Blues looked poised to take the lead as midfielder Maximo Carrizo played striker Taylor Calheira through on goal. In a similar fashion to JJ Jimenez’s two goals in the previous game, Calheira rounded the keeper but failed to put his shot on target.
Carrizo thrived in the attacking third, creating multiple chances throughout the night. In the 61st minute he fed JJ Jimenez down the right wing, but his subsequent shot was right at the Red Bulls II’s keeper.
Four minutes later, NYCFC II’s inability to finish came back to bite them when a shot from distance struck the hand of Piero Elias in the box. Elias was shown a yellow card, and the Red Bulls II were given a penalty shot. Mitchell easily converted to give the away side the lead 0-1.
Coming up short
The Baby Blues failed to create any meaningful opportunities in the rest of the second half until the dying minutes of the game. In the 91st minute, substitute Ronald Arevalo saw his header strike the left post, and come agonizingly close to a late equalizer. Instead, the game remained 0-1.
With a minute left in added time, Elias chopped down a Red Bulls II player in a clear display of frustration. The foul that was worthy of a straight red, but instead earned him his second yellow of the night, and an early walk to the shower.
In an eerie resemblance to the MLS standings, this win over NYCFC II put Red Bulls II on top of the MLS NEXT Pro Eastern Conference, and NYCFC II down in 13th.
NYCFC II will next face New England II on Sunday, April 14th at 7:30 pm ET at Belson Stadium.
