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MLS NEXT Pro New York Red Bulls II

New York Red Bulls II Advance to Eastern Conference Semifinals, Defeat Chicago Fire FC II 4-1 at MSU Soccer Park

October 1, 2023 - MLS NEXT Pro (MLS NEXT Pro)
New York Red Bulls II News Release


New York Red Bulls II defeated Chicago Fire FC II 4-1 on Sunday, October 1, at MSU Soccer Park in the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals of the 2023 MLS NEXT Pro Playoffs.

Red Bulls II opened the scoring in the 13th minute, as midfielder Wiki Carmona served in a corner kick from the near side of the field that was immediately headed in by forward Frank Ssebufu.

The home side doubled their advantage in the 25th minute. Midfielder Ibrahim Kasule played a long through ball from the New York half to midfielder O'Vonte Mullings, who surged through the defense and collected the pass, made a run towards the box, and found the back of the net.

New York added a third right before half, as Kasule followed up on a rebound and scored after his initial shot was saved.

Chicago struck in the 56th minute, as midfielder Luka Prpa scored with a left-footed free kick from just outside the box.

Red Bulls II added a fourth in second half stoppage time, as Kasule capitalized off a cross from midfielder Rafael Mosquera from the far side of the field.

The victory marked New York's first playoff victory in MLS NEXT Pro, eighth in club history, and first since 2018.

Red Bulls II is undefeated at home in postseason play in club history with a record of 4-0-2.

Across the regular and postseason this season, New York is 8-0-0 when scoring three-plus goals. They have scored first 20 times this season and have 15 wins in those matches.

New York's four goals were tied for the second-most in a postseason match in club history.

Red Bulls II's three first half goals are the most in a first half in club postseason history.

New York's two goals in the opening 25 minutes marked the fastest start in a postseason match in club history.

Ssebufu's goal marked the second-fastest postseason goal in club history, only trailing Amando Moreno's 12th minute goal on October 27, 2018 at FC Cincinnati.

Kasule recorded his 16th and 17th goals of the season, along with his sixth assist across all competitions, which both lead the team. He has recorded a goal and an assist in four matches this season.

The brace was the third of the campaign for Kasule. He became the fourth player in Red Bulls II playoff history to record a brace, joining Brandon Allen, Karl Ouimette, and Stefano Bonomo.

Kasule is tied for third in club history in postseason goals.

The goal for Mullings was his fifth of the season across all competitions and sixth of his Red Bulls II career.

Ssebufu's goal was his ninth across all competitions this season, which ranks second on the team.

The assist for Carmona was his third of the season.

Mosquera's assist was his second of the season across all competitions.

Goalkeeper Alan Rutkowski became the youngest goalkeeper to appear in a postseason match in club history. He recorded four saves in the contest.

New York will await its opponent in the Eastern Conference Semifinals, which is to be determined.

New York Red Bulls II 4, Chicago Fire II 1

2023 MLS NEXT Pro Eastern Conference Quarterfinals

Sunday, October 1, 2023 - 1 p.m. ET

MSU Soccer Park | Montclair, N.J.

Box Score:https://www.mlsnextpro.com/competitions/mls-next-pro-playoffs/2023/matches/rbnyvschi-10-01-2023/

Scoring Summary:

NY - Frank Ssebufu (Carmona) 13'

NY - O'Vonte Mullings (Kasule) 25'

NY - Ibrahim Kasule (unassisted) 45'

CHI - Luka Prpa (unassisted) 56'

NY - Ibrahim Kasule (Mosquera) 90'+6

Misconduct Summary:

NY - Omar Valencia (caution, foul) 49'

NY - Matt Nocita (caution, foul) 55'

NY - Jorge Cabezas (caution, time wasting) 64'

New York Red Bulls II: Alan Rutkowski; Omar Valencia, Matt Nocita, Juan Gutierrez, Copeland Berkley (Juan Mina, 61'), Peter Stroud, Bento Estrela, Wiki Carmona (Julian Hall, 60'), O'Vonte Mullings (Ronald Donkor, 73', Rafael Mosquera, 82'), Frank Ssebufu (Jorge Cabezas, 60'), Ibrahim Kasule

Unused Subs: Will Meyer, Jayden Reid, Davi Alexandre, Mohammed Sofo

TOTAL SHOTS: 17 ; SHOTS ON GOAL: 8 ; FOULS: 15 ; POSSESSION: 40.7 ; CORNER KICKS: 8 ; SAVES: 4

Chicago Fire FC II: Jeffrey Gal; Justin Reynolds (Jake Fuderer, 82'), Andres Ueland, Kendall Burks, Charlie Ostrem, Dylan Borso (Missael Rodríguez, 46'), Javier Casas (Michael Nesci, 87'), Luka Prpa, Henrique Gallina (Sergio Oregel, 46'), Omari Glasgow, Billy Hency

Unused Subs: Mihajlo Miskovic, Noah Egan, Eric Leonard, Romain Blake, Lamonth Rochester

TOTAL SHOTS: 13 ; SHOTS ON GOAL: 5 ; FOULS: 14 ; POSSESSION: 59.3 ; CORNER KICKS: 5 ; SAVES: 4

Referee: Anya Voigt

Assistant Referees: Brian Marshall, Katarzyna Wasiak

4th Official: Kevin Broadley

Check out the New York Red Bulls II Statistics



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