Match Recap | New York City FC II 4-2 Red Bull New York II

New York City FC II Goals: Arroyave 45+1', Loiola 64', 80', Sunjic 77' 

Red Bull New York II Goals: Rodriguez 10', Modelo 68' 

Quick Read

NYCFC II secured a thrilling 4-2 Hudson River Derby victory over Red Bulls II at Icahn Stadium. After falling behind early, Jacob Arroyave equalized before Joao Loiola headed the hosts ahead. A quick equalizer threatened to derail NYCFC II, but Luka Sunjic restored their advantage before Loiola struck again.

Match Recap

The latest installment of the Hudson River Derby in MLS NEXT Pro took place Tuesday afternoon at Icahn Stadium, as New York City FC II hosted Red Bull New York II.

Both sides were pushing for a place in the postseason, with the visitors knowing victory would confirm their place in the playoffs. 

The contrasting styles of the two teams were evident early on, as the visitors’ high press attempted to disrupt NYCFC II’s slick possession play.

A fast and frenetic start produced few chances before Benjamin Rodriguez broke the deadlock in the 10th minute, turning Sean Baitinger’s low cross home.

NYCFC II responded by fashioning a breakaway opportunity in the 20th minute. Luka Sunjic burst through the middle before waiting for El Hadji Samb to make an overlapping run. His pass was well timed, but Samb’s low cross was intercepted by the Red Bulls goalkeeper.

Mac Learned was called into action just after the half-hour mark when Rafael Mosquera fired a free kick toward goal from the edge of the area. The goalkeeper did well to tip the effort over the crossbar for a corner.

Máximo Carrizo was doing his best to inspire the NYCFC II attack, producing several mazy dribbles into the final third that left the Red Bulls’ defense scrambling.

Desperate to go into halftime level, NYCFC II got their wish thanks to a brilliant solo effort from Jacob Arroyave in first-half stoppage time.

Operating as the lone striker, Arroyave pounced on a loose pass inside the center circle before driving clear of three defenders and calmly slotting the ball past the goalkeeper.

Things almost got even better for the hosts when Arroyave turned provider, playing Samb through on the left. The winger squared up his defender before driving past him, but his side-footed effort skewed wide.

The start of the second half saw Arroyave register a good look at goal, stinging the palms of Tobias Szewczyk. Samb then tried to follow up with an effort of his own, but saw it blocked by Aimar Sánchez.

Next, it was Drew Kerr’s turn to try to put NYCFC II ahead, but his effort in the 53rd minute failed to hit the target.

Carrizo then tried his luck from a free kick. Although he was able to get the ball up and over the wall, he could not keep his effort on target.

A second goal for NYCFC II felt close, and it arrived in the 64th minute from a corner. Kerr’s delivery found the head of Joao Loiola, who powered his effort past the goalkeeper to put his side 2-1 ahead.

Unfortunately, the hosts were only in front for a matter of minutes before Aimar Modelo found an equalizer with a low effort that squirmed under Learned.

The goal inspired the Red Bulls, with Aimar Sánchez and Sean Baitinger both seeing efforts blocked by Adonis Campos within the space of a few minutes.

Pilkington turned to his bench for the first time in the 73rd minute, introducing Juan Ponce in place of Samb.

It was Ponce’s pass that opened up the Red Bulls and allowed NYCFC II to retake the lead in the 77th minute. Arroyave looked to connect with Ponce’s through ball, but Szewczyk knocked it away from him. Sunjic was on hand to fire home the loose ball and restore the hosts’ advantage.

Things got even better for NYCFC II in the 80th minute when Loiola scored his second goal of the game.

The defender rose highest at a corner once again to produce an almost carbon copy of his first goal and extend his team’s advantage.

The visitors continued to try to reduce the deficit, with Rodriguez getting a shot away inside the box in stoppage time. His effort was deflected behind by a teammate, however.

NYCFC II almost made it 5-2 in stoppage time when Sunjic squared it to Carrizo inside the box. The playmaker did well to get a sublte touch on the ball, but saw it roll just past the post. 

At the other end, Nate Worth rattled the crossbar with a fierce effort that looked to have Learned beaten. 

Pilkington turned to his bench to introduce James Bilden in place of the tireless Arroyave. 

In the end, that proved the last act of note and confirmed a fantastic 4-2 victory for NYCFC II in the Hudson River Derby.

How We Lined Up

What's Next

Next up for New York City FC II is a game against CT United on Sunday, September 13. Kickoff is scheduled for 5:00PM ET.