Ben Mines adds to attacking options for New York Red Bulls II

There’s no such thing as too many attacking options and New York Red Bulls II may have found another.

Despite a 4-3 loss to Ottawa Fury, NYRB II might look back at its last outing with some satisfaction. Another young player has stepped off the Academy production line to deliver an eye-catching performance in USL. Ben Mines, 17 years old and still a high-schooler, put in his most impressive performance yet for the II team.

Mines played 60 minutes and scored a goal this past weekend against the Ottawa Fury.

Manager John Wolyniec was impressed with how well the RBNY Academy man played, calling him the best player on the field.

I thought he was the best player on the field. He could probably have had three goals. He’s dynamic, he does what we want, and he runs hard, he’s brave, does all the things we want.

Mines was dynamic from the moment he was subbed on and he could have opened his account just before half if not for a great save.

He would eventually get the goal he deserved with a nice header from a free kick.

Despite being 17, Mines adds to an already strong attacking group.

Brandon Allen continues to develop his game as his hold-up play and his ability to get teammates seems to improve each game. Not to mention he continues to score goals and is tied for third among USL goalscorers with six.

Meanwhile, Junior Flemmings continues to work his way back from his injury suffered at the end of last year and has shown flashes of the player that scored 7 goals and was a constant problem for defenses.

This includes two goals in his last two games and when asked how he felt physically after the game he said he’s starting to get back to where he was last year.

Physically, I’m good. I’m getting back to the point that I know I can play at a standard. I just got to keep working, day by day, and hopefully it shows in the game.

We saw what Douglas Martinez was capable of just before he left to join Honduras at the U-20 World Cup. It only took him five minutes on the field to grab his first goal in the USL and NYRB II.

In the attacking midfield position Vincent Bezecourt has been terrific for the team and has 5 goals and 4 assists on the year. Bezecourt has also made two team of the weeks so far this season.

Florian Valot, Zeiko Lewis and Andrew Tinari, have all done a decent job at the other attacking midfield position, so Mines will face stiff competition starting for II team minutes at every spot up front.

Where Mines fits into the team going forward is up to Wolyniec, but with the impression he made over the weekend, one has to figure the teenager has made a strong case for a start this weekend against Charleston Battery.