Photo essay: Michael Amir Murillo’s first competitive game as a Red Bull

Michael Amir Murillo’s first competitive appearance since joining the New York Red Bulls was for the club’s reserves in USL. He got to experience playing at Red Bull Arena, and had his first real test as a full back in the RBNY system - which was largely the point of the exercise, so he got what he most needed out of close to 70 minutes work for NYRB II.

But he will have hoped for a slightly better memory of his first game in a Red Bulls shirt. Murillo had the tough assignment of keeping Harrisburg City Islanders’ Manolo Sanchez quiet - something he succeeded in doing only occasionally.

Sanchez got his start as a pro player with RBNY, and was a lively and effective presence on the wing for his latest club. Not unfamiliar with Red Bull Arena, the 25-year-old had several scoring opportunities, but was gifted a can’t-miss chance by a misjudged Murillo header.

Murillo was subbed out shortly after Sanchez scored the 62nd minute goal that would win the game for Harrisburg. Better days surely lie ahead for the Panamanian full back, who is well-regarded by RBNY’s coaching staff.

But Matthew Stith was at Red Bull Arena on April 5, 2017, to capture Michael Amir Murillo’s first competitive game as a Red Bull.

Grid View

• Nice day for NYRB II at RBA Matthew Stith
• RBA is ready for some football Matthew Stith
• Time to get warm Matthew Stith
• NYRB II brought in some first team faces for this one, including Brandon Allen and Michael Amir Murillo Matthew Stith
• Murillo made his pro debut in Panama at 18 years old, and his national team debut in 2016. In 2017, he gets his NYRB II (as a prelude to his RBNY debut, we assume). Matthew Stith
• The starting lineup: NYRB II vs Harrisburg City Islanders; USL 2017, Red Bull Arena; April 5, 2017 Matthew Stith
• Murillo gets into with Harrisburg’s Manolo Sanchez - not for the first or last time Matthew Stith
• Looks like Sanchez wants the ball again Matthew Stith
• Come get it if you want it, Manolo Matthew Stith
• The tussle with Sanchez would define Murillo’s NYRB II debut Matthew Stith
• At the other end of the field, Harrisburg’s Lee Nishanian got acquainted with Murillo Matthew Stith
• It was quite a physical game... Matthew Stith
• ...scratch that - it was a very physical game Matthew Stith
• Murillo says calm down before someone gets hurt Matthew Stith
• Told you someone would get hurt Matthew Stith
• Watch and learn, Michael: Dan Metzger knows how to navigate a rough-and-tumble game Matthew Stith
• Murillo in full stride Matthew Stith
• Former RBNY player Manolo Sanchez had the last laugh in the end Matthew Stith
• The City Islanders celebrate Sanchez’s match-winner Matthew Stith
• Ibrahim Sekagya offers match-winner Manolo his congratulations Matthew Stith
• See you next time, Michael Matthew Stith

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