Red Bull Academy Update: March 30

Red Bull New York Media Relations

A Look Back

U20s: Did not play.

U18s: The U18 Red Bulls continued to suffer from injury and sickness woes, but still produced a result in a 0-1-1 week in US Soccer Development Academy League play. On Saturday, March 28, the U18s dropped a 3-0 decision to PA Classics. The injury issues that have plagued the team all season continued. Prior to kick-ff, the U18s lost starting goalkeeper Brandon Paul and starting center back Shiroc Jean-Baptiste due to the flu. In addition, Widner Saint Cyr was injured 10 minutes into the game and could not continue.

"It was always going to be a difficult game against PA Classics, they have two US National Team players and other top level players headed to the top college programs around the country," stated U18 head coach Paul O'Donnell. "They are probably one of the top teams in our division and in order to compete against them you need to be at full strength."

The U18s rebounded on Sunday, March 29 with a 1-1 draw with FC Delco thanks to another injury time goal. In the first half the Red Bulls started very well and controlled the early parts of the game. Dylan Mencia came closest to opening the scoring with a shot off the crossbar. However, the game remained scoreless at halftime. In the second half, the Red Bulls gave away a free kick 25 yards from goal that FC Delco was able to convert to take a 1-0 lead. In injury time the Red Bulls continued to press forward, gained a corner kick and pushed everyone forward in search of an equalizer. FC Delco cleared a Kevin Finnegan header off the line and the ball dropped to Gabe Avans at the top of the box. Avans coolly picked his head up and curled a left footed shot into the upper 90 for the game tying goal.

"The goal from Gabe was truly first class," noted O'Donnell. "He had a tremendous impact on the game and that is the second time in three games that he has come off the bench and scored late for us. Against DC United he scored the winner and today he scored the equalizer."

U16s: The U16s maintained their blistering pace to open the season with two more wins this week to run their unbeaten streak to 15 (12-0-3).

On Saturday, March 28, the U16s beat PA Classics 2-0. Sam Adjei started the scoring in the 41st minute on a good build-up and pass from Oscar Gonzalez. James Raytsin put the game out of reach in the 68th minute on a beautiful pass from Victor Manosalvas. Travis Ives recorded the shutout.

On Sunday, March 29, the team defeated second place FC Delco 1-0. Gonzalez scored a great goal from 25 yards out on a pass from Paul Ehrenworth in the 25th minute. That was all goalkeeper Keith Cardona needed as he recorded the clean sheet.

"We had a lot of different guys help us this weekend," said U16 head coach Rob Elliott. "We put together some very good soccer this weekend and were able to limit chances from both PA Classics and Delco."

NOTE: With Schultz Academy's loss to Clearwater Chargers over the weekend, New York Red Bulls U16s are the only undefeated team left out of the 148 teams participating in the US Soccer Development Academy.

U15s: The U15 Red Bulls had a hard fought, well played game this weekend with Albertson SC on Saturday, March 28. Unfortunately, with less than five minutes remaining the team gave up two goals resulting in their first setback in the newly formed Pre-Academy League. With several chances in both halves, including two breakaways, the usual high octane offense could not finish on the day. "Sometimes soccer is cruel in that way," said U15 head coach Stan Lembryk. "We had a good solid day; we battled a very good team but just could not put the game away. In the end it's all about gaining experience and learning from the game."

Next up the team will continue to train this week and prepare for it's much anticipated Spain trip from April 5th -13th.

U14s: The U14 Red Bulls played its second Pre-Academy game on Saturday, March 28, taking on Albertson SC. The Red Bulls went ahead 1-0, with Aron Basuljevic scoring off well-taken free kick by Diego Ceron.

"We did a good job of pressuring as a team and winning the ball, something we have struggled with," stated U14 head coach Cris da Silva. "We kept good possession and also created many opportunities to score."

With the 1-0 win, the team improves to 1-0-1.