MONTCLAIR, N.J. – San Antonio FC got a first-half goal by Jose Gallegos and then saw out more than half-an-hour down to 10 men as it earned a 2-1 victory against the New York Red Bulls II on Wednesday night at MSU Soccer Park, pushing the visitors closer to a place in the USL Championship Playoffs in the first meeting between the two sides.

Looking for a second consecutive home victory, the Red Bulls II opened aggressively and almost took the lead inside the opening five minutes as Jeremy Rafanello was played in on the right by Mandela Egbo before cutting back a cross to Jake LaCava for a first-time shot that San Antonio’s Matt Cardone turned onto the right post before the defense was able to clear the rebound.

LaCava went close again in the 14th minute as the hosts turned over possession as San Antonio tried to move forward, allowing Serge Ngoma to slip a pass to his teammate for an effort from 20 yards that went just over the crossbar. San Antonio, meanwhile, had a pair of chances in the early going for Justin Dhillon and Gallegos, but neither seriously tested Red Bulls II goalkeeper Sam Joseph as he settled into his professional debut.

Gallegos put the visitors ahead in the 33rd minute, though, as he claimed possession ahead of a defender after a pass by Cam Lindley deflected into his path 30 yards from goal and quickly took off toward goal, moving onto his right foot to shoot low into the right corner of the net for his fourth goal of the season.

San Antonio doubled its lead three minutes into the second half as off a corner kick from the right by PC, Dhillon put Joseph under pressure at his near post and helped cause an own goal as the goalkeeper’s attempt to punch clear went into the net. Joseph responded well with a good close-range save on Joaquin Varela from another corner on the right soon after, but then San Antonio was reduced to 10 men as Mohammed Abu received his second yellow card of the game and was sent off.

New York took advantage quickly in the 55th minute as Kyle Zajec pulled the hosts back into the game with a low strick from the right side of the penalty area after Rafanello had tried to control a pass into the box, but the Red Bulls II were unable to build on the goal as SAFC settled the game down to try and hold its lead. The visitors also threatened to restore their two-goal advantage with 17 minutes to go as Gallegos fired a low shot from the right side of the penalty area that Joseph got down well to parry before claiming the rebound.

The Red Bulls II had a long-range chance to level from a free kick with 10 minutes to go but Egbo’s shot was claimed off the bounce by Cardone in the center of his net, but while the hosts pressed late to find an equalizer San Antonio’s defense held out to earn the side a second consecutive road victory and three more points toward its playoff drive.

USLChampionship.com Man of the Match

Jose Gallegos, San Antonio FC – Gallegos scored the opening goal for the visitors and had three shots and one key pass while completing 4 of 7 dribbles and winning 12 of 18 duels in a hard-fought victory.

Scoring Summary
SA – Jose Gallegos 33’
SA – Sam Joseph (Own Goal) 48’
NY – Kyle Zajec (Jeremy Rafanello) 55’

Full Box Score