Red Bull Academy Update: April 27
U20s: The Red Bull U20s did not play.
U18s: The U18 Red Bulls posted a 1-1-0 week in US Soccer Development Academy action.
Against Met Oval on Saturday, April 25th, the Red Bulls came from a goal down to defeat U18 Met Oval, 2-1. In the 20th minute Zachary Gomez scored from a Widner Saint Cyr through ball. Gomez scored again in the 53rd minute to seal the win for Red Bulls.
"It is always a difficult game when you come to the Met Oval. The players figured out what to do on a tight field and held on for the three points," stated U18 head coach Paul O'Donnell.
The U18s could not carry the momentum of Saturday's win into Sunday, as the Red Bulls dropped a 4-2 decision to U18 FC Westchester on Sunday April 26th. The Red Bulls trailed 2-0 at halftime and tried to mount a come back in the second half. In the 70th minute, Saint Cyr scored off a rebound when the FC Westchester goalkeeper could not hold a Giorgi Chirgadze free kick. However, as the Red Bulls continued to attack FC Westchester added to their lead with two more goals. Jack Freeman scored in the 83rd minute to make it 4-2.
"Falling behind early in the game hurt us," stated O'Donnell. "However, we did have chances in the first half to even the score and we did not finish. We now need to rebound and focus on our remaining divisional games."
U16s: In US Soccer Development Academy action, the Red Bull U16s returned to their winning ways with an unbeaten 1-0-1 week.
On Saturday, April 25th, the Red Bulls defeated U16 Met Oval, 3-0, at the Metropolitan Oval Field. Sam Adjei scored twice and Victor Manosalvas added a goal to help the U16s cruise to the victory. Travis Ives was not tested very much and recorded the shutout for the Red Bulls.
On Sunday, April 26th, the team squandered a two goal lead to tie U16 FC Westchester 2-2 at SUNY Purchase. Two first half goals by Michael Innocenzi earned the tie for the Red Bulls.
"Overall it was a good weekend," said U16 head coach Rob Elliott. "Several different players played a lot of minutes and did quite well. It was disappointing to give up a two goal lead, but there were a lot of good performances on the weekend."
The U16s record now stands at 15-1-4 on the season (7-0-1 in US Soccer Development Academy play).
NOTE: John Agudelo, who is member of the Red Bull Academy on the U16 side, helped the US U17s qualify for the FIFA U17 World Cup this past weekend, as the US U17s posted a perfect 3-0-0 record in Group A to earn a berth in the CONCACAF U17 Championship semifinals and one of the regions four automatic berths. Agudelo, who did not appear off the bench in the team's 5-0 win over Cuba in the first game of group play, came off the bench in the 65th minute in the US' 4-2 win over Canada. Making the start against Honduras in the final match of group play, Agudelo played the full 90 in the 3-0 win. The US will play Costa Rica in the semifinals (Mexico v. Honduras is the other semifinal) on Wednesday, April 29, with the finals set for Saturday, May 2.
U15s: The Red Bull U15s did not play any US Club Northeast Pre Academy League matches.
U14s: The U14 Red Bulls did not play any US Club Northeast Pre Academy League matches.
A LOOK AHEAD:
Wednesday April 29th
U16 Red Bulls @ Match Fit 6:30pm (US Soccer Development Academy League)
U18 Red Bulls @ Match Fit 8:00pm (US Soccer Development Academy League)
Friday May 1st
U14 Red Bulls @ PDA 6:00pm (US Club Northeast Pre Academy League)
U15 Red Bulls @ PDA 8:00pm (US Club Northeast Pre Academy League)
Sunday May 3rd
U16 Red Bulls vs. PDA 6:00pm @ NJIT (US Soccer Development Academy League)
U18 Red Bulls vs. PDA 8:00pm @ NJIT (US Soccer Development Academy League)
U14 Red Bulls vs. Dix Hills 1:00pm @ FDU-Teaneck
U15 Red Bulls vs. Dix Hills 3:00pm @ FDU-Teaneck
