NYRBII see 6 game unbeaten streak end with 4-2 loss to FC Cincinnati

New York Red Bulls II saw their 6 game unbeaten end as they were defeated 4-2 by FC Cincinnati on Saturday in front of a record crowd of 30,417 at Nippert Stadium

Manager John Wolyniec made one change to the side that defeated Toronto FC II last weekend. Rafael Diaz started in place of Evan Louro. The back four of David Najem, Hassan Ndam, Jordan Scarlett and Noah Powder remained the same. Dan Metzger started alongside Andrew Tinari in the midfield. The front four of Junior Flemmings, Florian Valot, Vincent Bezecourt and Stefano Bonomo also remained the same.

The game started out fast paced as both teams looked to grab an early goal. NYRB II had a good chance early on from a corner but Scarlett was unable to turn it in.

FC Cincinnati would be the first team on the score sheet just inside five minutes as captain Austin Berry’s header from a corner beat Diaz to give the hosts the lead.

NYRB II responded to the goal and Tinari nearly tied the game with a shot from outside the box, but FC Cincinnati keeper Mitch Hildebrandt made a leaping save to deny the midfielder.

NYRB II would find their equalizer on the resulting corner when Bezecourt’s low cross found Valot unmarked and the midfielder was able to turn it home.

NYRB II had a good chance to take the lead in the 28th minute when Flemmings cross was knocked back in front of goal, but Bonomo was unable to turn it home despite Hildebrandt being off his line.

FC Cincinnati would retake the lead and once again it came by way of a set piece. While the initial free kick into the box was cleared, the ball came out to Corben Bone and his strike beat Diaz to give the hosts the lead again.

The game’s fast pace continued into the second half and NYRB II almost equalized early on in the second half as Metzger shot wide from just inside the eighteen yard box.

NYRBII continued to push as Flemmings was denied by the woodwork and Hildebrandt. Bezecourt tried a tight angle shot in the 66th minute but the FC Cincinnati keeper was equal to that as well.

Despite their pressure NYRB II would concede again when Harrison Delbridge’s strike from 21 yards out beat Diaz to give FC Cincinnati a 3-1 lead.

FC Cincinnati would add another just five minutes later after Kenney Walker curled a free kick around the wall and past Diaz to give them a 4-1 lead.

NYRB II looked to get back into the game and found the net in the 80th minute and it was Valot once again. The Frenchman drove at the FC Cincinnati defense and unleashed a low shot that took a deflection past Hildebrandt to give him a brace.

Despite grabbing a late goal NYRB II would not find another way through the hosts defense and saw their 6 game winning streak end.

Wolyniec said that although the team lost he saw some good things from the game.

We're obviously a little disappointed right now, we put a lot into the game. It's unfortunate to come up on the bad side of a result but it was a fantastic environment, a really good game, great goals, Cincinnati really scored some top-notch goals. We let down in a couple moments and it cost us, ya know in a lot of ways I think we played really well. You can't beat the environment, it's a great place for players to come and develop and push themselves in tough moments. I think we got out a lot in the way of this game but there's still a struggle in dealing with a tough loss like that.

Wolyniec also praised Florian Valot for his good form as the season draws to a close.

He's certainly rounding out into form and you can see his confidence is high. He scores a goal late here last year so obviously he's got some good feelings about this place and he adds a couple more to the memory banks and we always know Flo is going to give us a lot and when he's confident and feeling good he's a really talented player and obviously made a big difference in this game today.

Valot said that it was a difficult loss but gave credit to the opposition for the goals they scored.

It was a tough loss 4-2. I thought we deserved better than this, we lost control of the game at some point and they (FCC) got four great goals, can't do anything about it. We should a little bit more on some of them but I think overall, we played great and we shouldn't be disappointed by that. Of course, it's a tough loss on the road to the playoffs but have to keep our head up and go to the next game.

NYRB II will look to get back on track when they return home for their final home game of the regular season as they take on Pittsburgh Riverhounds. The game will take place on Saturday, September 30, at 4:00 pm.