MONTCLAIR, N.J. – Tyler Freeman scored his first two goals in Loudoun United FC colors to lead the side to a 3-0 victory against the New York Red Bulls II on Saturday afternoon at MSU Soccer Park, giving the visitors their second win in as many outings to start the 2022 USL Championship season.
The Red Bulls II opened the game sharply but were reduced to 10 men in the 26th minute when Christopher Cragwell was shown a red card after a hard foul. Despite that, the hosts had a big chance 10 minutes later when Sam Williams stole possession in the Loudoun half and quickly found John Murphy, whose flicked pass set up Jordan Adebayo-Smith for a low finish to the right corner that was denied by United goalkeeper Luis Zamudio.
Loudoun began to threaten more consistently late in the first half, and New York’s AJ Marcucci had to make a pair of good saves to keep out efforts by Jacob Greene and Kimarni Smith. Seven minutes into the second half the breakthrough came for the visitors when Freeman shot low past Marcucci after a good through-ball by Michael Gamble. Freeman added his second of the game on the hour-mark after again being played in behind the defense, this time by Jeremy Garay, before Greene notched Loudoun’s third with 14 minutes to go to wrap up the result.
USLChampionship.com Player of the Match
Tyler Freeman, Loudoun United FC – Freeman finished sharply to notch a pair of goals and also had a pair of key passes and completed 14 of 17 passes overall.
Scoring Summary
LDN – Tyler Freeman (Michael Gamble) 52’
LDN – Tyler Freeman (Jeremy Garay) 60’
LDN – Jacob Greene (Houssou Landry) 76’