New York Gets Goals from Four Academy Products

CLEARWATER, Fla. (February 3, 2018) – The New York Red Bulls earned a 4-3 victory over the Philadelphia Union on Saturday at Joe DiMaggio Sports Complex. New York and Philadelphia played three 45-minute periods. Derrick Etienne, Jr., Alex Muyl, Amando Moreno and Ben Mines all scored for the Red Bulls.

New York generated the majority of the offensive chances in the first period, despite not finding the back of the net. The first group included many 2017 regulars, with Bradley Wright-Phillips, Daniel Royer and Sean Davis leading the attack.

The Red Bulls had their first opportunity in the 24th minute as Wright-Phillips gained possession atop the 18-yard box and fired toward the far post, but the shot hit woodwork and came back into play. Minutes later, Royer had a chance from inside the box, but goalkeeper Andre Blake was able to make a diving save to keep New York off the scoreboard.

During the second period, New York and Philadelphia were both able to find the back of the net, but remained even, 1-1.

The Union were able to break the tie in the 18th minute of the second stanza as C.J. Sapong drew a foul inside the box and converted the PK.

The Red Bulls responded in the 36th minute of the period as Florian Valot snuck a pass inside the box for Etienne, Jr., who struck a hard shot at the goalkeeper. Philadelphia goalkeeper John McCarthy was able to get a piece of the shot, but Etienne, Jr.’s shot would find the back of the net to keep the score level at 1-1.

In the final period, New York broke the tie early on and grabbed the victory, 4-3.

With the Red Bulls applying pressure in Philadelphia’s defensive third, Alex Muyl earned possession inside the 18 and finished to the near post five minutes in. After a Union tally, New York retaliated to regain the lead. Ben Mines began the counter attack with a through ball into the 18 for Vincent Bezecourt, who sent a shot that was saved and redirected back into play. With the ball loose in the box, Amando Moreno crashed in and volleyed the ball in the net for the 3-2 lead.

The Union again pulled level on a successful give-and-go with 10 minutes remaining.

As time was winding down in the final period, Mines ran onto a pass from Andrew Tinari inside the box and finished past the Union goalkeeper for the game winner.

New York will return to home for two days before flying out for their second preseason stint in Tucson, Arizona, on Tuesday.