Red Bull New York II were named MLS NEXT Pro team of matchweek 16 after they snapped a five-game winless streak Sunday night at MSU Soccer Park with a 5-0 victory over Toronto FC II.
The Baby Bulls’ five goals were the most they have scored in a single game this season.
Morristown native Tobias Szewczyk made his first start in over a month and Toronto FC II made sure to pepper him with three shots on goal in the opening 10 minutes, all of which he saved.
Mijahir Jimenez scored the opening goal when Dennis Gjengaar made a nifty pass to him inside the 18-yard box. Jimenez fended off a defender and took a shot that went in even though Toronto FC II’s goalkeeper Zakaria Nakhly got a piece of it.
In the 20th minute, a long ball was played down the right side of the field for Toronto FC II’s Shyon Pinnock. Pinnock chested the ball, fended off a defender and drilled a shot from just outside the six-yard box that beat Szewczyk. However, the goal was called off due to offsides.
Late in the first half, Red Bulls II were awarded a free kick, 22 yards from goal. It was taken by Red Bulls II captain Nate Worth. Despite Toronto FC II putting six players in the wall, Worth’s kick avoided the wall and dipped, but went just over the bar.
Throughout the first half, the Baby Bulls dominated possession but they had to be alert defensively as Toronto FC II attempted several crosses and short passes into the Red Bulls II 18. Toronto FC II’s backline also did well at clearing dangerous passes as Reid Fisher broke up several crosses that were attempted by the Baby Bulls.
Right before halftime, Red Bulls II forward Mijahir Jimenez was fouled and he stayed down on the field for a while where he was treated by the medical staff. The Panamanian did get up and remained in the game.
Just one minute into the second half, academy product Benjamin Rodriguez was in the right place at the right time. The 18-year-old received a pass from Jimenez on the edge of the 18 and finessed a beautiful shot into the upper 90 to give Red Bulls II a 2-0 lead.
On a corner kick, a Toronto FC II player’s cross was cleared by Red Bulls II center back Aimar Sanchez, but only to a Toronto player. That player then sent a looping cross to the far post where Fisher volleyed it, but Szewczyk stopped it with his left hand.
Red Bulls II continued to assert their dominance in the second half as they stretched their lead to three when substitute midfielder Sean Baitinger sent a long ball into Toronto FC II’s half for Rodriguez who had made a run. Rodriguez beat a defender and got to about 25 yards away from goal when Nakhly rushed at him. Rodriguez then dribbled around him and scored his fourth goal of the season.
In the 81st minute, Red Bulls II full back Connor Faello sent a cross to the back post which academy product Joshua Munson headed into the net. It was Munson’s first professional goal and Faello’s first professional assist.
In the 84th minute, Dennis Nelich took on two defenders and then passed over to Baitinger. Baitinger then calmly slotted the ball into the far side of the net for his first professional goal. Nelich earned his fourth assist which is tied for the team lead.
From start to finish, Red Bulls II played hard with and against the ball, and ended their five-game winless streak in MLS NEXT Pro play.
After the game, midfielder Benjamin Rodriguez described how it felt for the team to put in a complete performance at home following a difficult stretch.
With our last four or five games, we haven’t really performed the way we wanted to, so to come back home to Montclair and play like that, and put together a really complete performance, like you said, it means a lot to all the players and Dom.
He also described how it felt to have his first multi-goal game in MLS NEXT Pro and also earning a large role in the team.
Getting that starting role, I thank Dom for trusting in me, and I think if I keep stringing together good performances, I think I’ll stay there.
Head Coach Dominik Wohlert spoke about the importance of ending the team’s winless streak and building momentum heading into next week’s match against a rival in Philadelphia Union II.
There’s nothing better than a win, and really proud of the guys. Hopefully that sets a little bit of the tone, and we have to trust into each other that we are able to score, we are able to keep clean sheets, and we are able to finish these games in a good way for us.
