NYRBII Cap off April with Three Match Unbeaten Streak During Inaugural Season in MLS NEXT Pro

May 3, 2023 – MLS NEXT Pro (MLS NEXT Pro) – New York Red Bulls II News Release

In what was the first full month of action in MLS NEXT Pro for New York Red Bulls II, the squad has kicked off their campaign on the right foot. New York posted a 2-1-2 record and tallied 10 points in the Eastern Conference standings for the month of April.

Here are the highlights:

HISTORY AGAINST HUNTSVILLE

After a disappointing result against Crown Legacy FC in a 3-1 loss, New York looked to bounce back at MSU Soccer Park. Fellow expansion side Huntsville City FC came to Montclair similarly searching for their first win in MLS NEXT Pro, and the two squads were clearly hungry for three points.

The first half of the match was all Red Bulls II, with chance after chance from close range while dominating possession. As Huntsville began to settle in, the brilliance of A.J. Marcucci was shown, with the keeper making crucial saves to keep the match level.

While the defending and performance of Marcucci were great, the story of the match came from Panamanian Forward Ricardo Gorday. In his first professional start, Gorday was clearly on a mission to show his talent with the opportunity that he was given. The forward had shot after shot in the first half and was eventually able to break through in stoppage time.

With Huntsville controlling the ball at midfield, Red Bulls Academy product Erick Ruiz saw an opportunity to take control of possession and initiate a counterattack. After some great work, the midfielder found forward Oladayo Thomas in space driving towards goal. Thomas then threaded the ball through the Huntsville defense to find Gorday, who made a slick cutback move on the endline and tucked the ball away in the side netting past the Huntsville keeper.

This was the first professional goal for Gorday, as well as the first professional assist for Oladayo Thomas. The goal was enough for New York to claim the victory thanks to a great showing from the defensive line and keeper A.J. Marcucci.

Having experienced two draws and a loss in their first three matches in MLS NEXT Pro, New York Red Bulls II finally were able to grab that elusive first win against Huntsville City FC.

WIN NO. 100

Coming into the match against New England on April 21st, New York had just won their first match of the season, which was win number 99 in the club’s history. With the chance for history there, the II’s traveled to Foxborough to try and secure the 100th win in the club’s ninth season.

The defense…