June 2 was Pride Night at Montclair State University Soccer Park and a soccer game took place under good weather conditions between the Red Bulls II and Tampa Bay Rowdies, who came in to Wednesday's match occupying first-place in the United Soccer League Championship's Atlantic Division.
Perfect weather conditions set the stage for Red Bulls II to play one of their first home games of the 2021 USL championship season against their division rivals who sit in first-place, Tampa Bay.Tampa Bay's goalkeeper tonight was Evan Louro The 25-year-old USL goalie played three seasons for the Red Bulls II before joining Rowdies in 2020 and hails from South River, New Jersey.
Starting Lineups, Tampa
- GK- Evan Louro
- DEF (3)- Lasso, Antley, Scarlett
- MID (5)- Hilton / Ekra, Steinberger / Harris / Doherty
- FWDs- Guenzatti (1st Gls)/ Adebayo Smith
Red Bulls II
- GK- A.J. Marcucci
- DEF- Zalinsky Egbo-Tombul, Tolkin
- MID- LaCava, Edelman, Carmona, and Knapp
- FWD: Tom Barlow and Roald Mitchell
Tom Barlow scored three goals, including a brace (2 in 1 game) during 2020 MLS season. Now, the St. Louis-native was back playing in his first game for Red Bulls II since 2019.
June 2nd's tie against Tampa Bay at Montclair State University was a 'Homecoming' for the neweest Red Bulls II striker, Roald Mitchell who is from Montclair, New Jersey. After scoring two goals in four games with the Red Bulls academy team in 2019-20, Mitchell was part of the Red Bulls II squad for 2021. The Jersey Boy scored his first professional goal, recently, in a tie on the road against Charleston Battery.
First Half Summary
The Red Bulls II and the visiting team traded offensive blows in the first ten minutes. The Rowdies tried to play long balls over the top to their physically strong and fast striker, Adebayo Smith. However, the Red Bulls II center backs, Mandela Egbo and Tombul were there to snuff out the danger.
For Red Bulls II in the eighth minute, one of their midfielders tried to play a long ball into the attacking third for Barlow. Using his long legs and powerful strides, Barlow beat his defender easily and would have reached the pass, however the ever-ready Evan Louro got to the ball before he did. The Red Bulls placed much pressure on Evan Louro, to come off his line and either snag with his gloves or kick away passes that threatened the Rowdies goal.
In the 17th minute, the action started to pick up. The Red Bulls II had the ball deep in opposition territory. The Baby Bulls passed the ball around the backline. Left-back John Tolkin took a pass and dribbled forward, from the midfield line into Rowdies' territory. A Rowdies player went up to him and forcefully tried to strip him and shoved Tolkin to the ground.
26th minute- Rowdies leading scorer, Sebastian Guenzatti takes a shot at Red Bulls II goalkeeper Marcucci, who uses both hands to parry it off to the side.
The Red Bulls II had another free kick in the attacking third. It was taken by Carmona, who played an MLS game this year. Carmona crossed into the 18-yard-box looking for Mitchell but his cross was headed away by Jordan Scarlett. Ball out of touch for a Corner kick.
Edelman took the Red Bulls II's corner very well, putting it right into the center of the penalty-area. The Rowdies could not clear the ball and a loose ball floated to the back-post, where the Red Bulls II's tall center-back, Emir Tombul was in position to get to it. Then, one of Tampa's defenders who was covering Tombul, grabbed his shirt and got to the ball before the Turkish center back could score.
31st minute- Tampa went to work on the counter-attack, after dealing with a cross from Red Bulls. One of Tampa Bay's midfielders sent a long pass ahead for striker Adebayo-Smith that sent him in on a breakaway. Adebayo-Smith faked goalkeeper the wrong way and slotted the ball in with his right-foot to give the visitors an important 1-0 lead going into halftime.
Second Half Summary
6oth minute, Tom Barlow takes ball on a 3-1 with teammates. He tries to tee up Mitchell but he missed the pass, goes to GK who clears. 61st - Rowdies earn their second corner of the night. Guenzatti sends a hard cross into the box that was headed away by a Red Bulls II defender.
- 65' SUB Tampa. MIDs Antley for Dalgaard.
- SUB Red Bulls II. FWD- #67 Sowe IN for LaCava.
After just 65 minutes he played, the Red Bulls top goal-scorer was subbed out of the game in favor of Omar Sowe. Sowe would slot in on the left-wing and try to bring his size and offensive skill into the match.
- 75' Langsdorf IN, Adebayo-Smith OUT
The commentators on ESPN-Plus were John Goss and former New York Metrostar, Steve Jolley. The latter added that the Tampa Bay Rowdies coach subbed on two offensive players late in the match, despite having the lead because he "thinks there is a chance to get that second goal."
- 77' Acosta IN, Carmona OUT
Red Bulls II's Best Scoring Chance- A Free Kick
After 85 minutes of play in Montclair, the Tampa Bay Rowdies held a 1-0 lead heading into the last five minutes of regulation and stoppage time. In the 86th, the Red Bulls II would earn a free kick that was only 23 yards away from their opponent's goal. It was such a golden opportunity that Omar Sowe and Egbo argued over it. Then, the older player who also leads team in goals (3) in 2021, Mandela Egbo stepped up to take the free kick.
Egbo took a free kick lacking in speed that was on target, but the Rowdies' goalkeeper was there to dive and parry it away. The Red Bulls II were not able to convert their best opportunity to tie the game, or wait was it? They would have one more chance!
In the 90th minute, Red Bull right-back Zalinsky sent a high cross into the box. It wasn't cleared by the Rowdies defense and a loose ball lay there for Serge Ngoma. Ngoma was unable to tap the ball in, because the goalkeeper made a last-ditch dive and stopped his shot at very close range.
Postgame Thoughts from RB2 Coach
Wednesday night's Pride night defeat to Tampa Bay was a tough pill for the fans in attendance at MSU Soccer Park. However, if it's any consolation, a Red Bulls lineup featuring several players who were 18-years-old or younger, had the advantage offensively. The Red Bulls II outshot the Rowdies 5-3 and had 55 to 45% of possession.
Head coach John Wolyniec was asked by a reporter what he saw from defender Emir Tombul who was cool and calm under pressure from a dynamic duo of forwards like Sebby Guenzatti. The South American came into tonight's game with the second-most goals (4) in the USL Championship. The Rowdies are off to a 4-0-0 start which is the best in their franchise's history. Wolyniec described the Turk's strong defensive performance:
Overall, pretty good you know as young center back in our system it's a tough job and you know they have two guys up top that are that are pretty impressive. [Emir has] some physical gifts and he really worked his butt off today. - John Wolyniec on the Center back's play
The Red Bulls did have an advantage in possession and shots-on-goal against the 4-0-0 Tampa Bay side, which is a good sign. Wolyniec described why that is a good sign and how the team will move ahead to their next game away at Hartford Athletic on June 5.
"It's hard to gain confidence from a loss but against a good team like Tampa to carry a decent amount of games, especially the second half should be something that we can continue to build on," Wolyniec said. "Out of the last few games we’ve played, we had some interesting moments. Now, it's time to turn around quick and be ready to play against another good team in Hartford." - John Wolyniec
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