The New York Red Bulls II defeated Toronto FC II at MSU Soccer Park 2-1 Sunday in their final regular season match. With the win, New York clinched first place in the MLS NEXT Pro Eastern Conference and home field advantage throughout the playoffs.
There wasn’t a whole lot separating the Baby Bulls and Toronto in the first half. It was a physical game where neither side was willing to give an inch. That being said, the Baby Bulls had seven shot attempts to Toronto’s one in the first half, but just one of those seven attempts was on goal.
New York’s right-back Curtis Ofori had the first scoring chance of the game in the 28th minute. The ball was crossed to the back post where Ofori connected with the ball on a scissor kick that went just high and wide of the left post.
The Baby Bulls kept up the pressure in the 35th minute. New York left-back Matty Dos Santos ripped a left-footed shot from outside the box that was denied by Toronto goalkeeper Adisa De Rosario.
It took the Baby Bulls more than an hour to find the back of the net but they did so emphatically. In the 72nd minute, forward Mijahir Jiménez sent a through ball into Toronto territory where it was caught up to by forward Andy Rojas.
Rojas then dribbled down the left wing, cut around a defender at the edge of Toronto’s 18 and curled a right-footed strike into the net to give Michael Bradley’s side a 1-0 lead.
In the 81st minute, Toronto FC II equalized when Michael Sullivan volleyed the ball from inside the box into the back of the net. The goal was assisted by Ythallo Ryckalm Rodrigues De Olivera.
Shortly thereafter, Baby Bulls captain Adri Mehmeti sent a hard pass to the left wing where it was corraled by Rojas. Rojas then made a sharp move to the inside before unleashing a wicked right-footed shot that zoomed past De Rosario and into the right side of the net. The goal was Rojas’ fifth of the season and it was all the Red Bulls would need as their backline held firm for the remainder of the game.
After the game, the Red Bulls II captain Adri Mehmeti spoke about what it meant to clinch the Eastern Conference championship and home field throughout the playoffs.
That’s a big plus. Honestly, having all your games at home, with the fans around us, it’s any team that wants to come and go for the chip, they have to come through us, and we’re playing at home, so big confidence boost there.
Andy Rojas was the difference for New York on the scoresheet, adding two goals to his team’s cause and Red Bulls II head coach Michael Bradley described his midfielder’s effort on the day.
Andy scores two really, good goals. He’s a really talented player. We have pushed him to try to do even more, have more impact on games, play with more intensity, and find ways to make an even bigger difference. So today he comes through and scores two really, really good goals, really happy for him.
The Red Bulls II have the opportunity to pick their opponent for both the conference quarterfinals and semi-finals of the MLS NEXT Pro playoffs. Bradley’s club chose Carolina Core FC as their opponent in the quarterfinals and that single-elimination match will take place on Sunday, October 19 at 7 p.m. ET.
