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New York Red Bulls U-23s opened their 2017 PDL campaign with a 3-2 win over Reading United at the RBNY Training Facility on Saturday, May 20.
FINAL: @NewYorkRedBulls U23 3, @ReadingUnited 2. The Red Bulls U23 earn their first win of the 2017 season! #Path2Pro pic.twitter.com/0TVZi4vUbh
— USL PDL (@USLPDL) May 21, 2017
The first line-up of the new season featured former RBNY Academy players Sean Teixeira, Kevin Politz, and Steven Echevarria.
We are under 30 mins before kickoff between #RBNYU23 and #ReadingUnited. Here are tonight's #PDL starters. #Path2Pro pic.twitter.com/L8LNT7RDOA
— NYRB II (@NYRBII) May 20, 2017
Per the official PDL box-score, RBNY U-23s gave all five outfield subs minutes on the field, but the team's most significant work was done by its starters.
Jose Aguinaga opened the scoring early for the U-23s, assisted by Brian White.
Red Bull's up 1-0 with an early goal in the 2nd minute. United is regrouping and on the attack.
— Reading United AC (@ReadingUnited) May 20, 2017
White made it 2-0 early in the second half. Reading won a penalty to cut the deficit, but Zach Knudson restored RBNY's two-goal advantage.
Red Bull put another one in in the 52nd minute. Now lead 2-0.
— Reading United AC (@ReadingUnited) May 21, 2017
Goooooaaaallll!!!! Reading on the board as Hugo buries a PK after Finnegan is taken down in the box. Bulls up 2-1.
— Reading United AC (@ReadingUnited) May 21, 2017
Red Bulls answer back with a score of their own in the 65th to recover their 2 goal lead.
— Reading United AC (@ReadingUnited) May 21, 2017
Reading scored again in the 90th minute, but the RBNY U-23s held on for the win.
White and Aguinaga finished with a goal and an assist each from the game. It was Reading's first loss of the season, including US Open Cup wins over Clarkstown Eagles and New York Cosmos.
As noted by RBNY fans, the result clearly means the Red Bulls U-23s are NASL champions.
Just a reminder a win by the U-23 team tonight means they are better than the cosmos https://t.co/x2I1TWogDI
— Eric Friedlander (@Efried97) May 20, 2017
Someone tell the Cosmos to send the trophy to 600 Cape May St, Harrison, NJ.
The RBNY U-23s are next in action on Wednesday, May 24, against Jersey Express at the RBNY Training Facility. Kick-off is at 7:30 pm. Admission is free.