On a wet and rainy night at the Red Bull Training Facility, captain Brian Saramago bagged a great goal on either side of halftime as the New York Red Bulls U-23 defeated Cedar Stars Rush two-nil.
First Half
Red Bull Goalkeeper Matthew Frank was tested early on in the 3rd minute of play when a corner kick was headed down by an opposing player that went through Frank’s legs and nearly crossed the line. The Assistant Referee deemed there was no goal with Frank doing a good job to keep hold of the ball.
The home side made the breakthrough as the scoreboard hit 45:00. Emmanuel Agboola, Omar Sowe, and Saramago put together some crafty one-touch passes around the 18-yard line that resulted in the captain hitting a scorcher with his left foot into the top left corner of the net.
Second Half
The second 45 started with each side coming out with a high level of intensity. Players getting heated and engaging in rough tackles, it seemed like the next goal would decide the match.
That was the case by the 71st minute. Saramago got his team-leading sixth goal of the season and second of the night with a powerful header to the far post off a corner kick from substitute Jared Gilbey.
Man of the Match
The captain came in clutch helping his team to three points which lifted them two spots to fourth place in the Mid Atlantic standings.
Next Match
NYRB u23 (4-3-5) welcome Lehigh Valley United (4-6-2) to the Training Facility on Wednesday, July 10 with the game slated to start at 7:00 PM EST.
The Red Bulls will look to sweep the season series after their first match-up ended with the U-23’s first road victory of the year. Lehigh comes into this one on a four-game winless streak.
