skip navigation

Matchday Report: Rafanello Leads Charge as Red Bulls II Down Independence

By USLChampionship.com Staff, 06/16/21, 10:23PM EDT

Share

Young forward has two goals, assist in 3-1 victory for hosts at MSU Soccer Park

MONTCLAIR, N.J. – Jeremy Rafanello scored twice in the first half and then added an assist in the second to lead the New York Red Bulls II to an impressive 3-1 victory against the Charlotte Independence on Wednesday night at MSU Soccer Park.

Looking to snap a three-game losing streak, the Red Bulls II struck first in the eighth minute as Rafanello sent Roald Mitchell into the left side of the penalty area for a shot that was parried by Charlotte goalkeeper Brandon Miller. Mitchell regained possession on the rebound and fired a low ball to the near post that was cleared by a defender, but only as far as Rafanello, who drove a low shot that found the back of the net.

Charlotte tried to respond quickly, and Dane Kelly had a close-range shot blocked away by New York’s Emir Tombul in the 16th minute, but a minute later Rafanello went close to a second for the hosts as his chipped ball from the right side of the penalty area came back off the crossbar before the Independence were able to hustle away the rebound. Rafanello went close again just past the half-hour mark with a long-range shot that Miller got across to well to turn wide of the right post, but in the 34th minute the New Jersey native struck a low shot that went through Miller and into the net.

The Independence had a pair of chances around the hour-mark to get back into the game. First Dane Kelly broke forward on a counterattack and tried to lift a curling finish over the retreating goalkeeper, but put too much pace on and sent it high. Clay Dimick also had an effort off a free kick from 25 yards to the left of center, but that too went over the crossbar.

The Red Bulls II made it a three-goal game in the 62nd minute, however as New York’s Daniel Edelman turned possession over in the Independence’s half to send the ball to Rafanello, who quickly played a diagonal pass into the left channel for an onrushing Mitchell. The 18-year-old controlled smoothly and finished to the right side of the net past an advancing Miller.

Charlotte got a chance to pull a goal back midway through the second half as it was awarded a penalty kick after New York’s Michael Knapp committed a handball in his own box, and Kelly calmly shot home into the left corner of the net just past the dive of Red Bulls II goalkeeper Luca Lewis. With 13 minutes to go the visitors were reduced to 10 men, though, as Kevin Riascos was sent off after a hard challenge near midfield to end any hopes of a late rally.

USLChampionship.com Man of the Match

Jeremy Rafanello, New York Red Bulls II – Rafanello scored a pair of goals and added a fine assist in a performance that saw him record five shots and four key passes overall for the hosts.

Scoring Summary
NY – Jeremy Rafanello 8’
NY – Jeremy Rafanello (Daniel Edelman) 34’
NY – Roald Mitchell (Jeremy Rafanello) 62’
CLT – Dane Kelly (Penalty Kick) 69’

Full Box Score

Follow the USL Championship

Most Recent News

Most Read News

Latest Videos