New York Red Bulls II suffer second straight defeat, lose 2-1 to LA Galaxy II

Two matches in four days brought two defeats for New York Red Bulls II as John Wolyniec’s men concluded a double-game week with 2-1 loss to LA Galaxy II at Red Bull Arena.

Fresh off their loss on Thursday to Charlotte Independence, Wolyniec made several changes to the team. Evan Louro remained in goal, while Hassan Ndam started alongside Justin Bilyeu at center back with Kevin O’Toole sliding in at left back and Andrew Tinari starting at right back. Arun Basuljevic started alongside David Abidor who replaced Dan Metzger in the defensive midfield. Zeiko Lewis replaced Vincent Bezecourt in the midfield starting alongside Florian Valot and Derrick Etienne who retained their positions. Brandon Allen once again started up top as the lone striker.

NYRB II came out quickly and they were ahead just three minutes in. After some one-touch passing, Valot’s cross found Allen who put it away.

The Red Bulls continued to push the effort and Bilyeu’s free kick from distance nearly crept in at the near post.

Both teams tried to find a way through each other’s defense for most of the first half. NYRB II nearly had a second when Tinari’s shot was deflected but LA Galaxy II keeper Eric Lopez was able to tip it over.

The Galaxy would get a good chance just before half time, but Louro made a big save.

LA wouldn’t have to wait long to find the equalizer in the second half as a quick counter by the Galaxy led to Louro taking down Raul Mendiola in the box. Adonis Amaya sent Louro the wrong way to tie the game.

NYRB II would nearly take the lead in the 58th minute after Allen’s chip through ball found Etienne who laid off to Lewis, but he fired over.

Louro once again came up big as NYRB II’s defense was out of position stopping two of Justin Dhillon’s good chances.

NYRB II would try to find a spark on offense sending on Vincent Bezecourt for Lewis.

Minutes later LA took the lead as a cross found Dhillon unmarked in the box and he placed his shot into the corner past Louro.

NYRB II would send on Junior Flemmings and Kazuyoshi Shigenobu to try and find an equalizer in the late stages of the game.

Allen came close in the 77th minute after being put in by Flemmings but Lopez made a good save to deny him.

NYRB II’s last chance came late on when Flemmings shot hit the post and the rebound was cleared away as they were unable to find the equalizer and suffered their second straight defeat.

Wolyniec said that although the team’s first half performance was good he doesn’t think they’ve been consistent enough over the course of the whole game.

Obviously, it is a bit frustrating. I thought the first half was actually one of our better halves so far this year. I found myself repeating to the team that we're not consistent enough, we can't put ninety minutes together, that it's a good half and then a bad half, seemed like it was that kind of night tonight. It's hard. We're not focused enough to be consistent to do what we want to do."

Wolyniec also commented on the different center back pairings which has been a big talking point so far for the team this season.

Obviously, we've been changing center backs quite often. [This is] something that is based on match-ups, availability. We did that a lot last year as well, it is nothing new and the guys are just going to have to get used to it. Hopefully we start to see a pairing that makes sense. It's certainly tricky. Like I've said in the past, I feel our tactics are pretty clear and they're challenging but they're clear, so hopefully we are consistent enough that even if the pieces change guys can quickly adjust. Maybe that is not working so well this year. It is pretty obvious we are giving away goals, giving them away on the play. That's difficult and that has to do with a change in players. We just, at the end of the day, need to be better."

Evan Louro said that although the short time in between games could have been a factor into why the second half wasn’t as good as the first that the team needs to be better.

Maybe some of us were tired from the travel, we only had a day or two of rest. I think that's definitely a factor but at the end of the day, we have to come out and do better to push through that adversity.

NYRB II next takes on Ottawa City FC at Montclair St. University, on Saturday, April 20, at 4:00 PM.