NEW YORK RED BULLS II PREVIEW
FC Cincinnati 2 face New York Red Bulls II this Sunday, June 25 in Montclair, New Jersey at MSU Soccer Park, for the first ever meeting between the two sides. The Orange and Blue are in search of their first road win, while Red Bulls II take aim at a top four spot in the Eastern Conference. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. ET and can be streamed live on mlsnextpro.com.
FC CINCINNATI 2 at NEW YORK RED BULLS II – SUNDAY, JUNE 25, 2023 – 7 p.m. ET – MSU SOCCER PARK
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SCOUTING NEW YORK RED BULLS II (6-4-4, 24 PTS., 5TH EASTERN CONFERENCE)
New York Red Bulls II are one of four Eastern Conference teams playing their first season in MLS NEXT Pro. Red Bulls II joined the league from the USL Championship, where they played eight seasons and won a league title 2016. They enter the weekend after taking one point from an extra time shootout loss to Crown Legacy FC.
Red Bulls II have excelled in the defensive third this season, conceding just 16 goals through 14 matches. Jayden Reid leads New York defenders in duels (97), interceptions (21) and tackles (15) and has played in four of the team’s five shutouts.
Stopping shots in goal for New York is AJ Marcucci. The West Chester, Pennsylvania native stands third in MLS NEXT Pro with 42 saves and holds a 79.3 save percentage, the second-best mark among goalkeepers who have at least 20 saves this season. Marcucci has four clean sheets on the year.
It’s not all defense for Red Bulls II, as midfielder Ibrahim Kasule leads the attack out of midfield for New York. Kasule has four goals and two assists on the year and paces the team in shots on target (12) and key attacking passes (18). Add in the forward trio of Frank Ssebufu, Oladayo Thomas and Ricardo Gorday, who have combined for eight goals and three assists, and Red Bulls II have a number of ways to score.
Head Coach Ibrahim Sekagya has Red Bulls II playing well at MSU Soccer Park with a record of 4-2-1 in his first full season as head coach. Sekagya was part of the Red Bulls II inaugural coaching staff in 2015, serving as an assistant coach in the USL Championship for eight seasons. Sekagya was appointed head coach of the MLS NEXT Pro side in February of 2023.
GAMES IN HAND – FC Cincinnati 2 are one of three Eastern Conference teams yet to play 14 matches. The Orange and Blue have taken 1.23 points per match and are five points off Atlanta United 2, who would be the final playoff team if the season ended today.
NEW OPPONENTS – FC Cincinnati 2 will play New York Red Bulls II for the first time Sunday night. The Orange and Blue have already faced the other three Eastern Conference newcomers in Crown Legacy FC, Huntsville City FC and Atlanta United 2.
Against those teams, the Orange and Blue are 0-1-2, falling to Crown Legacy FC and splitting shootout results against Huntsville City FC and Atlanta United 2.
AN MLS DEBUT – FC Cincinnati 2 defender Bret Halsey made his MLS debut on June 21 against Toronto FC, playing 13 minutes in a 3-0 win. Halsey has enjoyed a successful first season in MLS NEXT Pro, scoring one goal and tallying three assists.
DIRECT PLAY – FC Cincinnati 2 and New York Red Bulls II elect for more direct styles of play, as both teams rank in the bottom six in total passing attempts. Red Bulls II have a tough time connecting on those limited passes as they are just one of two teams (Philadelphia Union II) that are under a 70 percent completion rate.
PENALTIES AND SHOOTOUTS – New York has seen plenty of action from the penalty spot this season. Red Bulls II have attempted six penalties, tied for the second most in MLS NEXT Pro, and been involved in four extra time shootouts, tied for the second most in the Eastern Conference.
On the flip side, FC Cincinnati 2 have only attempted one penalty and been involved in three shootouts.
