New York Red Bulls II win first road game of the year, 1-0 over Richmond Kickers

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Richmond tried hard to push for an equalizer in the final moments, but the Red Bulls were able to see out the win.

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.