The Red Bull New York U-20s are in the midst of a championship run at the Super-Y League North American Finals.
The U-20s were able to advance out of their group stage by going 2-0-1. Their first match came against the Hampton Roads Piranhas. After falling behind 1-0 in the 10th minute, the U-20s settled into their game and tied it up in the 19th minute. Mike Del Pra passed the ball up top to Matt Bouraee, who then played a through ball to Matt Kassel. After making an overlapping run, Kassel was able to play the ball back to Bouraee, who finished from six yards out.
Jon Yazo scored in the 48th minute to give the U-20s a 2-1 lead after Jonathan Borrajo played the ball into the box, where Yazo was able to capitalize.
Kassel sealed the game in the final minute of the match as he scored on a breakaway after a through ball by Michel Okai.
In their second match of group play against Kalamazoo Kingdom, Kassel sealed the win again. However, he did not have to wait until the last minute of the match to do so. Kassel's goal came in the seventh minute of the match. Yazo found the back of the net twice, in the 15th and 80th minutes.
The U-20s faced off against Super Nova on Aug. 4, with the right to win the group on the line. Kassel provided another early goal, as his third goal of the tournament came in the 12th minute. Edison Bilbao tallied another score for the U-20s as they tied Super Nova 2-2 to finish with seven points and advance from the group stage.
The U-20s will face the Chicago Fire in one semifinal as the Toronto Lynx battle PDA in the other semifinal.
U-16 update
The New York Red Bulls U-16s remained on top of the Mid-Atlantic Group A with a crucial 1-0 decision over the Long Island Rough Riders. Joey Spivack provided the only goal in the match in the 15th minute off a penalty kick. Spivack was taken down in the box after Giorgi Chigadze freed him with a quick combination pass. Spivack calmly buried the penalty kick, giving the U-16s three points.
With three matches left, the U-16s have a two-point cushion over the Brooklyn Knights. One team from each division will qualify for the Super-Y North American Finals in Florida. That tournament is held in November.
The U-16s will hit the road when they battle the New York Rough Riders on Saturday.
