Sports. Honestly. Since 2011

Ryan Meara, Florian Valot Power NYRBII To USL Cup

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The sound of champagne bottles popping filled the halls beneath Red Bull Arena. Then, a deafening roar from the locker room, followed. New York Red Bulls II won in penalties for the second time in 8 days, this time taking the eastern conference final. Their big brother club had only accomplished this same feat once in their 21-year existence. NYII matched the accomplishment in just their second year.

Ryan Meara, Florian Valot Power NYRBII To USL Cup

The match was no open and shut case as many thought it might be. Louisville City FC came out swinging in the first half. At times, NY was pinned in their own half, unable to possess or attack. Louisville opened the scoring with a free kick in the 11th minute. Paco Craig had a delightful touch off his head with his back to goal. The ball looped up and over Ryan Meara.

Louisville had several more chances in the first half that nearly saw them double the lead. By the 35th minute, Louisville dropped off a bit, and NY began to find their feet in the game. Vincent Bezecourt breathed life into the team just before the half with a deep strike saved Gregory Ranjitsingh at full extension.

Red Bull started the second half with the same patience and possession they finished the first half with. Derrick Etienne Jr. had a pair of shots just off the mark, both on free kick opportunities. Rajitsingh pulled his groin early in the second half and was unable to continue. Tim Dobrowlski, entered the match and did an admirable job in the circumstances.

While Louisville continued to look for opportunities on the counter, NY finally found an equalizer. After Derrick Etienne was fouled just outside of the box, Bezecourt stepped up to take the free kick. Vincent found a wide-open Florian Valot in the box. The young forward put his header on frame and passed Dobrowlski. For the remainder of regulation and extra time, both teams came close, but could not break through.

Extra time would see three red cards, two for Lousiville, and one for NY. The cards were justified in each case. With both teams having earned the right to advance, penalties would be the only way to decide it. Goalkeeper Ryan Meara would ultimately be the deciding factor, saving two penalties. The Red Bulls did their part going perfect through four rounds of spot kicks on the back of their goalkeepers tremendous success.

After the match, John Wolyniec beamed with pride and excitement. “I wish there was another word for more proud than ‘proud’, but the group’s been great. We’ve had such a great season, guys have poured so much into it and we certainly like to make it interesting, but you know a lot of times that makes it more enjoyable when you succeed. So happy for them, the guys are real happy and they deserve it.”

Red Bull Arena is poised to host the USL championship game, against Swope Park Rangers, next Sunday. For now, the young team will look to rest and heal up from two very physical and draining playoff tilts. NY has overcome two of the best teams in the league to reach the final, and they must be favorites heading into the game.

 

Scoring Summary (Assist Summary):

LOU: Paco Craig (Aodhan Quinn) 11′

NY: Florian Valot (Vincent Bezecourt) 74′ 

Discipline Summary:

LOU: Paco Craig, Caution 102′

LOU: Sean Reynolds, Ejection 104′

NY: Speedy Williams, Ejection, 118′

LOU: Paco Craig, Ejection, 120′

 

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