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New York Red Bulls II won their first road game of the season with a 1-0 win over Richmond Kickers on Saturday.
Manager John Wolyniec made two changes to the team that won against Charleston Battery. Rafael Diaz replaced Ryan Meara in goal while the back four of Justin Bilyeu, Hassan Ndam, David Abidor and Kevin O’Toole remained the same. Andrew Tinari and Arun Basuljevic started alongside each other for the second straight game. The front four had one change with Florian Valot replacing Junior Flemmings; Brandon Allen, Vincent Bezecourt and Derrick Etienne retained their spots.
Tonight's XI + Bench#NYRBII | #RICvNY pic.twitter.com/F4p0gCuhFa
— NYRB II (@NYRBII) June 3, 2017
NYRB II had a good chance six minutes in after a nice one-two between Etienne and Allen, with Etienne’s shot being saved by Richmond keeper Matt Turner.
6' - Etienne with @NYRBII's first shot but his shot goes right to their keeper.
— NYRB II (@NYRBII) June 3, 2017
0-0 #RICvNY
Both teams couldn’t create much in the first half with most of Richmond’s chances coming from set pieces. Raul Gonzalez tested Diaz with a free kick in the 13th minute, but the keeper made the comfortable save.
We're in good hands with @Rafi_Dee #RICvNY | #NYRBII pic.twitter.com/89gqXR1d0D
— NYRB II (@NYRBII) June 3, 2017
Richmond had their best chance of the half in the 35th minute when Yudai Imura struck a free kick from 25 yards out off the bar.
35’ OFF THE BAR! Yudai Imura steps up and his shot dings off the crossbar!#RICvNY | 0-0
— Richmond Kickers (@RichmondKickers) June 3, 2017
NYRB II would respond a minute later after a great ball by Tinari found Allen, but he couldn’t get enough on his header to get it past Turner.
36' - @NYRBII with the chance as Allen gets his head on a great ball from Tinari but not enough on the header!
— NYRB II (@NYRBII) June 3, 2017
0-0 #RICvNY | #NYRBII
Allen wouldn’t have to wait long to get another chance and 2 minutes later he gave his team the lead. Etienne and Bezecourt combined well and his low cross found Allen in the box, who buried it to give NYRB II a 1-0 lead going in to the half.
GOAL! @brandon21allen gives @NYRBII the 1-0 over @RichmondKickers at the half! #RICvNY pic.twitter.com/TMlmI0uUDK
— USL (@USL) June 3, 2017
Richmond tested Diaz twice early in the first half as he tipped over Fred Owusu’s free kick in the 53rd minute and denied Imura’s driving shot from outside the box four minutes later.
53' - Richmond testing Diaz but he's got it taken care of ♂️
— NYRB II (@NYRBII) June 4, 2017
0-1 #RICvNY | #NYRBII pic.twitter.com/hxkp45As9D
57' - Diaz with another☝️
— NYRB II (@NYRBII) June 4, 2017
0-1 #RICvNY | #NYRBII pic.twitter.com/kF1Tm2J9NZ
NYRB II couldn’t carve out any chances early on in the second half and they sent on Flemmings to replace Allen in the 65th minute.
65' - First change of the match coming for @NYRBII
— NYRB II (@NYRBII) June 4, 2017
➡️ @Flemmo_77
⬅️ @brandon21allen
0-1 #RICvNY | #NYRBII pic.twitter.com/VMxdTMOsch
Flemmings had NYRB II’s best chance in the 79th minute after connecting with Etienne’s cross, but his header hit the crossbar and stayed out.
79' - So so so so close!
— NYRB II (@NYRBII) June 4, 2017
Flemmings denied by the crossbar!
0-1 #RICvNY | #NYRBII pic.twitter.com/FgQCjso1ps
Richmond continued to push for an equalizer and NYRB II made their second substitution as they sent on Jordan Scarlett who made his USL and NYRB II debut for Tinari.
84' - Jordan Scarlett coming on for his first professional minutes as the 2nd sub for Tinari!
— NYRB II (@NYRBII) June 4, 2017
Welcome to the @USL, Jordan!
0-1 #RICvNY pic.twitter.com/WV7ILIG2TL
Richmond tried hard to push for an equalizer in the final moments, but the Red Bulls were able to see out the win.
FT: @NYRBII 1, @RichmondKickers 0@NYRBII earns first road win of the season to earn the full three points!#RICvNY | #NYRBII pic.twitter.com/Ge8VqxEzRH
— NYRB II (@NYRBII) June 4, 2017
NYRB II will look to continue their momentum next weekend when they travel back to Montclair St. University to take on Louisville City FC, on Sunday, June 11, at 4:00 pm.