Watch Gideon Baah play for NYRB II against Charlotte Independence

The New York Red Bulls have effectively confirmed expectations that Gideon Baah will take the next step toward recovering from the injury that has kept him sidelined since March by playing for NYRB II on Sunday, May 1. A club press release has announced the center back has been loaned down to the USL squad in advance of the home game against Charlotte Independence.

We haven't seen Baah since he limped off the field in RBNY's (eventual) 4-3 home win over Houston Dynamo. Once fit, he'll be returning to a roster more crowded at his position than when he was injured. The Red Bulls signed Aurelien Collin this week, and Chris Duvall put in a solid performance alongside Ronald Zubar in securing the MLS team's first clean sheet of the 2016 season.

Baah was a certain starter when the Red Bulls kicked off the new season, but he now faces a renewed challenge to win and retain his place in the lineup. He'll start that challenge in earnest with some competitive minutes for the reserve team.

The chance to see Baah in action as part of the hottest team in USL right now seems a pretty good reason to trust your Sunday afternoon to NYRB II. Kick off is at 4:00 pm. Tickets available here (or at the stadium), or watch online.

OaM's match preview will fill you in on the rest you need to know.