New York City FC II Holds off Red Bull New York II

Published on May 17, 2026 under MLS NEXT Pro (MLS NEXT Pro)
New York City FC II News Release

New York City FC II claimed a dramatic 3-2 Hudson River Derby victory over Red Bull New York II on Sunday evening. Goals from Joao Loiola, Cooper Flax, and Elhadji Samb helped NYCFC II build a three-goal lead before strikes from Christian Gallagher and Paul Sokoloff cut the visitors’ advantage. Ultimately, however, NYCFC II held on to claim all three points.

Match Recap

New York City FC II returned to action on Sunday for the latest edition of the Hudson River Derby against Red Bull New York II in New Jersey.

NYCFC II were keen to bounce back from the narrow defeat suffered in their last outing against New England Revolution II, as Pilkington handed a second consecutive start to new signing Joao Loiola in the heart of defense.

The first chance of the game fell in the 10th minute as Andy Rojas drew a save from Mac Learned in the New York City FC II goal.

NYCFC II responded instantly with an effort of their own from Caleb Danquah, but Aiden Stokes was able to match the shot from the left side of the box.

Aimar Sánchez of Red Bull II then missed the target before Sekou Kone drew a save from Learned inside the opening 20 minutes.

In the 25th minute, Drew Kerr was the next man to try and break the deadlock for NYCFC II, only for his effort to miss the target.

As the clock ticked past the half-hour mark, Nate Worth tried his luck from distance, but his effort did not trouble Learned.

The half finished with several looks at goal for the hosts. First, Kone saw an effort blocked by Cooper Flax, before Mijahir Jiménez missed the target from just outside the area.

Just before halftime, Learned was called into action to deny Joyeux Bungi from distance.

The start of the second half saw one change for New York City FC II as Elhadji Samb replaced Caleb Danquah out wide.

Despite that change, it was the hosts that created the first chances of the second half, with Nate Worth seeing two shots blocked by Joseph Suchecki and Joao Loiola.

Pilkington’s team took the lead in the 57th minute when Joao Loiola scored his first goal for the club. The goal came courtesy of Elhadji Samb, whose pass back across goal after a corner was cleared and worked back into the box allowed the Brazilian to score from close range.

Flax then almost doubled the advantage minutes later from just outside the box before producing a sensational free kick from a central area to make it 2-0 in the 63rd…