HANOVER, N.J. (March 18, 2016) – New York Red Bulls II defeated Harrisburg City Islanders in the club’s final preseason tune-up at the Red Bulls Training Facility, 2-0. Brandon Allen opened the scoring in the 3rd minute and snatched his second in the 65th to close out the match.

New York got after the game from the sound of the opening whistle. After winning the ball in Harrisburg’s half, Allen ran in on the left side of the penalty box and finished his chance to put Red Bulls II ahead early.

Harrisburg nearly leveled the match in the 40th minute when a through ball gave the visitors a one-on-one chance with Ryan Meara, and although the Islanders put the ball in the back of the net, the official blew his whistle for offside.

Red Bulls II’s last chance of the half came two minutes later when Alex Muyl cut in a ball across the face of goal, but it beat the onrushing Stefano Bonomo and New York entered the break with a one goal lead.

In the 62nd minute, New York earned a free kick from a dangerous position when Allen was taken down 20-yards from goal. Bilyeu stepped up and struck a bending shot on-goal, which forced the goalkeeper to dive and parry away the ball for a corner kick.

On the ensuing corner, Derrick Etienne Jr. delivered an outswinging cross into the penalty area, which bounced around until it found Allen at the back post. Allen took one touch and blasted into the back of the net to double New York’s lead.

Harrisburg’s best opportunity of the match came in the 85th minute when an attacker charged towards Meara from the right side of the box. He delivered a low-driven shot towards the back post, but the chance went just wide and New York held on to earn a clean sheet.

New York Red Bulls II will hold its 2016 USL home opener next week on Saturday, March 26, at Red Bull Arena versus Toronto FC II at 3 p.m. ET.

Scoring Summary (Assist in parenthesis):

NY: Brandon Allen 3’

Brandon Allen 3’ NY: Brandon Allen 65’

Lineup:

NY: Ryan Meara, Justin Bilyeu, Aaron Long, Zach Carroll (Chiekh M’baye, 75’), Chris Duvall (Mason Deeds, 80’), Tyler Adams, Dan Metzger (Speedy Williams, 46’), Alex Muyl (Walter Calderon, 82’), Derrick Etienne Jr. (Vincent Bezecourt, 66’), Stefano Bonomo, Brandon Allen (Kyle McCord, 67’)

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