MLS NEXT Pro New York Red Bulls II

NYRBII Set to Face Eastern Conference Leading Crown Legacy FC

June 18, 2023 - MLS NEXT Pro (MLS NEXT Pro)
New York Red Bulls II News Release


MATTHEWS, N.C. - New York Red Bulls II (6-4-3, 23 pts.) travel to face the current Eastern Conference leaders Crown Legacy FC (9-2-2 19 pts.) at Mecklenburg County Sportsplex. Kickoff is scheduled for 5:00 p.m. ET and coverage is available on MLS Season Pass with Apple TV.

Last Sunday, New York Red Bulls II fell to New York City FC II, 3-1, in the second New York Derby of the MLS NEXT Pro season. Forward Frank Ssebufu was the only goal scorer for Red Bulls II in the match with the assist coming from Ibrahim Kasule. It was only the third match all season in which New York conceded three or more goals.

Crown Legacy are coming into today's match having just played four days ago in a 2-0 win against Philadelphia Union II. This is their third match in seven days, and the second of three matchups between these two teams this season.

In Matchweek 3, these two teams faced off at MSU Soccer Park with both searching for their first win in MLS NEXT Pro. Crown Legacy were able to secure the victory thanks to two goals by Iuri Tavares, who is the clubs current leading goal scorer with six on the year. Forward Wiki Carmona opened the scoring for New York in the eighth minute, but Crown Legacy scored three unanswered and left Montclair with all three points.

The tale of New York's season so far has been the solid play by the goalkeepers and defensive line, with there being only two matches all season in which they were outscored by two goals. The club still holds the second highest save percentage in the league at 76.6% and are tied for the most clean sheets in the Eastern Conference with five on the year.

With that being their greatest strength, New York will be put to the test against a Crown Legacy attack that is one of the best in the entire league. The club has scored the third most goals in the league with 27 on the year from twelve different players.

The II's will hope to bounce back to their form on the road from earlier in the season, having earned a result in four out of their first five road matches of the season. New York now holds a 2-2-2 away record after the loss last week in Queens and looks to grab all three points in their second consecutive match away from home.

Coverage is available on MLS Season Pass with Apple TV.

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