Red Bull Academy Update: June 8
U20s: The U20s did not have a match last week.
U18s: The Red Bull U18s split a pair of matches last week in US Soccer Development Academy League action.
On Saturday, June 6, the U18s dropped a 2-0 decision to U18 D.C. United. D.C. got on the scoreboard midway through the first half from a header off a corner kick. The Red Bulls came close to equalizing on several occasions. Giorgi Chirgadze (Brooklyn, NY) ripped a 30-yard shot just over the crossbar and Mark Brode (East Setauket, NY) came close with a left footed shot just by the post. The U18s had claims for a penalty denied after a questionable hand ball and entered halftime down, 1-0. The second half saw the Red Bulls apply most of the pressure, but they could just not find the equalizer. In injury time, United made the score 2-0 as the Red Bulls continued to push forward. The loss to D.C. United eliminated the U18s from playoff contention.
On Sunday, June 7, the U18 Red Bulls rebounded with a 2-1 defeat of U18 Potomac. In the tenth minute Brode opened the scoring from a Nick Gendron (Ramsey, NJ) pass. The Red Bulls continued to apply the pressure and could created several additional goal scoring opportunities before the halftime whistle. Brode hit the crosssbar and Tevin Jackson (Jersey City, NJ) forced the goalkeeper into a great save after he turned at the top of the eighteen and ripped a shot that looked goal bound. In the second half the Red Bulls kept up the attacking pressure and went ahead 2-0 when Jackson played a great diagonal pass to Cesar Blacido (Ramsey, NJ), who dribbled past the Potomac defender and finished with a chip over the Potomac goalkeeper. Potomac pulled one back with ten minutes left but the U18s held on for the victory.
"The team played with great determination (against U18 Potomac) and played some of our best soccer of the season," stated U18 head coach Paul O'Donnell. "We created many chances today and could have won by more. Sheldon Parkinson was terrific today in goal and Mark Brode was brilliant in the midfield. I am proud of the way the team responded after yesterday's defeat. We defeated a team today that was in need of points to guarantee a play-off spot and we played very will in the win."
U16s: The Red Bull U16s posted a 1-1 record last week in in US Soccer Development Academy League action.
On Saturday, June 6, the U16s routed U16 DC United, 3-0. Keith Francisco (New Rochelle, NY) started the scoring, finishing off a beautiful pass from Victor Manosalvas (Clifton, NJ) to give the Red Bulls a 1-0 halftime lead. Manosalvas scored his second goal after a good combination between Chris Garcia (Rutherford, NJ) and Mike Innocenzi (Franklin Lakes, NJ). CJ Lyle (Stanford, NJ) scored the third U16 goal after a clever pass from Francisco. Keith Cardona (Glen Rock, NJ) saved a penalty kick on his way to the clean sheet win.
The Red Bulls end the regular season undefeated against MLS Academy programs, posting a 3-0-1 record in those matches.
On Sunday, June 7, the U16s dropped a 1-0 decision to U16 Potomac. Potomac scored three minutes into the game and hung on to keep the Red Bulls off the scoreboard.
The U16s end the regular season with an overall record of 18-4-7 and will head into the US Development Academy Playoffs as one of the top eight seeds.
"The team has shown a great deal of progress throughout the season," said U16 head coach Rob Elliott.
U15s: The U15 Red Bulls played to a scoreless draw 0-0 against U15 Oakwood in Windsor, Connecticut on Saturday, June 6 in US Club Northeast Pre Academy League play.
"I thought we played very well, created numerous chances, and had the majority of possession," stated U15 head coach Stan Lembryk. "We were just a little unlucky not to put the game away. All in all we continue to improve and took a point on the road."
U14s: On Saturday, June 6, the U14 Red Bulls defeated U14 Oakwood, 2-0, in US Club Northeast Pre Academy League action. Fardine Shwainay scored both goals for the U14s with Anthony Sare (River Edge, NJ) and Arun Basuljevic (Mahopac, NY) earning the assists. Santiago Castano (Union City, NJ) posted the shutout in goal for the Red Bulls.
"We created a lot of chances (against Oakwood) which was pleasing," stated U14 head coach Cris da Silva. "We gave Oakwood nothing at the other end, and earned this result."
A LOOK AHEAD:
Wednesday, June 10
U20 Red Bulls vs. U20 NJ Rangers, 8:00 pm @ Rutgers-Newark
Saturday, June 13
U20 Red Bulls @ U20 Beachside, 8:00 pm
Sunday June 14
U14 Red Bulls @ U15 Bethesda, 1:00 pm (US Club Northeast Pre Academy League)
U15 Red Bulls @ U15 Bethesda, 3:00 pm (US Club Northeast Pre Academy League)
