U-18s update
Needing just one point on Saturday to clinch first place in the Region I Premier League North Division, the Red Bulls U-18 team played hard and had several good scoring opportunities against Western United, but just could not find the net. Western United's goal late in the first half stood up throughout the game and the Red Bulls U-18 team lost 1-0.
The loss is only a minor setback, however, as the team can still win the division with a point in their final game. As it stands right now, the Red Bulls U-18s are tied with FC Greater Boston Bolts atop the standings with 15 points, but hold the tiebreaker by virtue of their 3-1 head-to-head victory over the Bolts.
The U-18s did not take much time at all to cleanse their mouths of the bitter taste of defeat, however, winning their second-round NJ State Cup match against the Barrington 3 Lions, 4-2, on Sunday afternoon.
The Red Bulls U-18s took the lead early and never looked back, scoring first on a play in which Mario Rios beat two defenders out wide and sent a perfect cross to David Bartholomew, who knocked it home for the 1-0 advantage.
After having a goal called back because of offsides, the Red Bulls' team dynamic changed in the 15th minute after Rios - who coach Paul O'Donnell described as having been "brilliant" in the early going - was taken off with an injury.
The Red Bulls recovered, taking a 2-0 lead at the end of the first half on a Walter Hines penalty kick after John Tardy was taken down in the box.
The second half saw substitute Hamilton Sotelo score goals in the 65th and 79th minutes, assisted by Lucas Swertloff and Johnny Exantus, respectively.
The U-18s next match will be on Sunday at Ft. Dix, N.J., in the NJ State Cup quarterfinals against BOM MetroStars.
U-16s update
The Red Bulls U-16s provided more exciting soccer this weekend, winning their second straight NJ State Cup match in overtime, a 2-0 result against local rival World Class Arsenal.
After ending regular time in a 0-0 tie despite enjoying a 14-4 shot advantage, the Red Bulls U-16s got on the board in the 100th minute when Joey Spivack fed a pass to Dylan Mencia, who beat three defenders and drilled a low shot past the opposing 'keeper. They added the exclamation point five minutes later when a nice combination between Akil Howard and Eric Jorgensen led to a second cross that Justin Lees neatly finished, giving the Red Bulls the 2-0 victory.
The U-16s next match will take place on Sunday against the South Jersey Barons in NJ State Cup quarterfinal action.
U-15s update
The Red Bulls U-15 squad played against the No. 1-ranked U-15 team in the country, PDA, in their second round NJ State Cup match last weekend. For the first 80 minutes of this well-played game, both teams fought hard but could not break through. In the final 10 minutes, however, a Red Bulls defender was called for a foul in the box, leading to a converted penalty kick by PDA. The Red Bulls were unable to equalize and the match ended in a 1-0 PDA win.
Head coach Antonio Meza said of his team's performance, "We had a very good game plan and as a team in our first state cup competition, we were a little unlucky. I am very proud of their effort and this is certainly something to build on."
The team will now focus on its upcoming season in the Super-Y League.
