USL teams representing the Seattle Sounders, Vancouver Whitecaps and New York Red Bulls all earned wins against fellow MLS-operated teams in USL action last weekend before the focus for many of the league’s teams turns to the US Open Cup on Wednesday.
Last Friday, the Sounders 2 got the best of the Timbers 2 in a preview of Wednesday’s Open Cup game, with MSL loanee Damion Lowe and draft pick Andy Craven (pictured) scoring the goals in front of 3,095 at Merlo Park in Portland (highlights). With the win, S2 moved into first place ahead of the Sacramento Republic, who lost 2-1 to OKC Energy on Saturday.
On Sunday, Vancouver Whitecaps 2 held off the Real Monarchs 2-1 in front of almost 1,500 fans in British Columbia in a game that included seven yellow cards and one red. Homegrown Players Caleb Clarke and Ben McKendry struck in the first half for Vancouver, while Lucas Baldin netted a late penalty kick for the Monarchs.
Here’s a look at one of the key games from last week:
Sunday: New York Red Bulls II 3, FC Montreal 2 (USL recap | highlights | full game replay)
The New York Red Bulls II (3-4-3) moved up into a tie for sixth place (and the final playoff spot) in the USL’s Eastern Conference with a 3-2 win over last-place FC Montreal (1-6) on Sunday night at Red Bull Arena. the Red Bulls II started eight on-loan players against Montreal’s three. Yet it was Haiti U-20 international and Red Bulls academy winger Derrick Etienne who was most impressive. Just 12 minutes in, he used his one-on-one ability to get free on the left end line before centering for
Anatole Abang
(four goals in five USL games) to convert from close range. In the second half, Etienne extended the Red Bulls’ lead to 3-1 with a stunning first-time volley from the right side of the penalty area after a floated, full-field switch from left back
Anthony Wallace
. The goal, Etienne’s first for a professional club team despite his continued amateur status, proved the game-winner.
An own goal set up by Red Bulls right back Shawn McLaws provided the go-ahead goal for New York early in the second half, while FC Montreal’s Romario Williams used a flicked header to set up Frédéric Lajoie-Gravelle for a first-half goal. Montreal rallied late on a fine finish from substitute Alessandro Riggi, but New York goalkeeper Kyle Reynish made a terrific reaction save in the final minutes to secure the win.
MLS players on loan
NY: Kyle Reynish (90 mins), Shawn McLaws (90 mins), Andrew Jean-Baptiste (90 mins), Anthony Wallace (90 mins, 1 assist), Leo Stolz (90 mins), Marius Obekop (70 mins), Anatole Abang (45 mins), Manolo Sanchez (22 mins)
MTL: Maxime Crépeau (90 mins), Jérémy Gagnon-Laparé (75 mins), Romario Williams (90 mins, 1 assist)
Red Bulls recap | Montreal recap
This week’s games:
Sat., May 30 – Richmond Kickers vs. New York Red Bulls II, 7 pm ET
Sat., May 30 – Pittsburgh Riverhounds vs. Harrisburg City Islanders, 7 pm ET
Sat., May 30 – Rochester Rhinos vs. FC Montreal, 7:05 pm ET
Sat., May 30 – Louisville City vs. St. Louis FC, 7:30 pm ET
Sat., May 30 – Charleston Battery vs. Wilmington Hammerheads, 7:30 pm ET
Sat., May 30 – Tulsa Roughnecks vs. Portland Timbers 2, 8:30 pm ET
Sat., May 30 – Orange County Blues vs. Seattle Sounders 2, 10 pm ET
Sat., May 30 – Sacramento Republic vs. Real Monarchs, 10:30 pm ET
Sat., May 30 – LA Galaxy II vs. Colorado Springs Switchbacks, 10:30 pm ET
Sun., May 31 – Vancouver Whitecaps 2 vs. Arizona United, 5 pm ET
Sun., May 31 – OKC Energy vs. Austin Aztex, 8 pm ET
Every game of the 2015 USL season will be streamed live on team YouTube channels. For highlights, visit the USL's official YouTube channel.
