Red Bulls U-18 update:
The Red Bulls U-18 squad will have plenty of momentum as they prepare to compete in the Region I championships.
The U-18s turned a tuneup game against the United States U-17 national team into a confidence booster with a 2-0 victory on June 24.
The U-18s jumped in front of the national team early in the match thanks to an Andrew Cuevas goal in the sixth minute. Joao Fartura played a free kick inside the penalty box where Cuevas was able put a header to the back of the net.
The U.S. U-17s tried to fight back into the game with former Red Bulls Academy player Vincenzo Bernardo creating numerous opportunities. However, Bulls goalkeeper Conrad Rusnak turned away every shot that got by central defenders Cuevas and team captain Anthony Vazquez.
Lightning struck twice in the 35th minute as another Fartura free kick was placed inside the penalty area. This time, Chris Faustino got on the end of the brilliant pass to extend the lead to 2-0.
"This game was a great tuneup for us as we prepare for Regionals," Fartura said. "The team was solid defensively and that is one thing we have been focusing on prior to the Regionals."
The Red Bulls U-18s now travel to Maine for the Region I Championship. The winner of the Region I Championship will advance to the U.S. Youth Soccer National Championships, which will be held July 23-29 at Pizza Hut Park in Frisco, Texas.
Red Bulls U-16 update:
The Red Bulls U-16 team continues its strong season in the Super-Y League, adding an impressive 2-0 road victory over F.C. Westchester to its résumé.
Joey Spivack got the U-16s off to a quick start over the current New York champions by finding the back of the net in the 15th minute. Spivack was able to shake his defender before firing a low shot beating Westchester's 'keeper. Franco Gamero was able to deliver the pass to set up Spivack.
It was another Spivack and Gamero combination that set up the New York's insurance goal. A quick give-and-go between the two allowed Gamero to run free down the flank. Gamero was able to deliver a perfectly-placed cross to Zack Gomez, who put the ball in.
"This was great for our confidence and team chemistry as we prepare for two prestigious summer tournaments," Gomez said.
The Red Bulls U-16s will travel to Dick's Sporting Goods Park to compete in the first annual MLS Academy Tournament held in conjunction with the MLS All-Star Game. The Academy Tournament will take place July 13-19.
Following the MLS Academy Tournament, the U-16s will travel to take on the likes of Juventus, Real Madrid, Barcelona, Club America, Sao Poulo and Boca Juniors in the World Cup of Clubs U-17 tournament. The World Cup of Clubs will be held August 18-31 in Spain.
Red Bulls U-15 update:
The Red Bulls U-15 Academy Team had a colossal task of having four games in a seven-day time span. However, the U-15s were able to battle and finish 2-2-0.
The first challenge for the U-15s was Parsippany FC on June 16. The U-15s were able to jump ahead early, thanks to a Mamadee Dukuly goal in the 10th minute when he followed up a Paul Trisuzzi missed penalty kick. Parsippany FC proved to be too much in the second half though as they came out more poised and scored both their goals after the break.
The U-15s were forced to recover quickly as they faced Ironbound the following day. They were able to bounce back quickly and secure three points in a 4-1 decision. Dukuly was again able to start the scoring for the young Red Bulls as he found the back of the net twice in the first half. After conceding a goal in the 11th minute the U-15s were able to dominate possession and control the game scoring twice more in the second half with goals by Clyford Lyle and Miguel Suarez.
On June 21 the U-15s traveled to Westchester in a top-of-the-table clash against FC Westchester. Three minutes after FC Westchester went up 3-2 early in the second half, the referee was forced to call the game due to thunderstorms. With the win, FC Westchester was able to keep control of first place in the standings over the U-15s.
The Red Bulls U-15s hit the road again on June 23 to challenge Quick Strike FC in Fishkill, N.Y. Dukuly got the U-15s up early for the third time during the week, tallying a goal in the seventh minute. Edison Sanchez provided breathing room for the U-15s as he extended the lead to 2-0 just three minutes later.
"It was a very difficult week for us facing two of the top teams in the league and playing two other games," head coach Antonio Meza said. "I know we have a month break now and that is good for us to recover and get ready for the next five games we have."
