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2017 USL Preview: New York Red Bulls II

By NICHOLAS MURRAY - nicholas.murray@uslsoccer.com, 03/24/17, 12:48PM EDT

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Champions ready for challenge of defending their crown


Photo courtesy Ben Solomon / New York Red Bulls II

The New York Red Bulls II had a historic 2016 season that saw the club set numerous records on the way to becoming the first MLS owned-and-operated team to win the USL Cup. Now the side faces the challenge of defending their crown without a number of key figures from last season, but the returning core has some very familiar names that will certainly be supplemented by the club’s pipeline of talent coming up from the Academy.

Head Coach: John Wolyniec
Stadium: Montclair State Soccer Park
2016 results: 21-3-6, 69pts
2016 postseason: W 4-0 vs. Orlando City B; D 3-3 (5-4 PKs) vs. Rochester Rhinos; D 1-1 (4-3 PKs) vs. Louisville City FC; W 5-1 vs. Swope Park Rangers

Goalkeeper: The Red Bulls II re-signed Rafael Diaz, who ably backed up Ryan Meara a season ago, for his third season with the club. He is joined this year by former Michigan goalkeeper Evan Louro, who initially signed as a Homegrown Player with the Red Bulls before being moved to the Red Bulls II roster this week. A former U.S. U20 international, Louro recorded a 1.17 goals-against average for the Wolverines in his career.

Defense: The Red Bulls II will likely lean on the returning Tim Schmoll and newcomer Ethan Kutler after the departure of both the Red Bulls II’s All-League center backs, with Aaron Long having signed an MLS deal with the Red Bulls and Zach Carroll having signed with Orlando City B during the offseason. The side also added former Academy standout Andrew Lombard, and ex-Tulsa Roughnecks FC player David Abidor in the offseason, while Academy player Kevin O’Toole could look to build on a strong 2016 that saw him make 12 appearances in the regular season, and three in the USL Cup Playoffs.

Midfield: The Red Bulls II’s French duo of Vincent Bezecourt and Florian Valot are both back for the new season after playing a key role in the club’s success in the second half of last season. Bezecourt had six goals and two assists, while Valot had two goals and finished tied for the team-lead with six assists. A new face to the side will be MLS SuperDraft pick Zeiko Lewis, who will join the club on loan as he looks to break out in his first pro season.

Forward: The Red Bulls II were led by Brandon Allen a season ago as he recorded 21 goals in the regular season and USL Cup Playoffs, scooping the league’s Rookie of the Year award and USL Cup MVP honors in the process. Allen appears set to return on loan this season, and he’ll be joined by Jamaican Junior Flemmings – a USL 20 Under 20 selection last year – and Stefano Bonomo, who re-signed with the side for his third season at the club.


Photo courtesy Ben Solomon / New York Red Bulls II

Strengths: The Red Bulls II set a USL record for goals a season ago, and with the returning group the club has that appears set to continue. The high-pressing style employed by the club helped create chances regularly, and should Allen spend time on loan again, his decisiveness in front of goal makes the side lethal. Add in the creativity and speed possessed by Junior Flemmings and Zeiko Lewis, and the contributions from midfield from Vincent Bezecourt and Florian Valot, and the Red Bulls II should remain a highly entertaining side to watch.

Weaknesses: As strong as the Red Bulls II attack appears, there will be questions entering the season as to how well Head Coach John Wolyniec’s side will deal with the absence of center backs Aaron Long and Zach Carroll. Finding chemistry along the back four could be a work-in-progress, and will be something to monitor as the season starts.

Key number: 13 – The Red Bulls II set a USL record with 13 victories on the road last season. Similar success would set the club up with a chance at a repeat performance come the postseason.

Noteworthy matchups: The Red Bulls II move into their new home and the Montclair State Soccer Complex on April 1 when the Richmond Kickers visit. The first meeting between the Red Bulls II and LA Galaxy II on May 14 in an interconference clash should prove a fascinating one, while a rematch of the Eastern Conference Final on June 11 against Louisville City FC should be a must-see.

Coach’s view: “It’s always hard the season after you have a lot of success. You’re going to have a target on your back. It’s certainly not going to be easy, but also with that success we’ve moved some guys on which is great so a lot of times it depends who’s with us. We’re ready for it, we want that, we want all the games to be hard, we want the other teams to give us their best, so I think it’s going to be a good year for us.” – New York Red Bulls II Head Coach John Wolyniec

Current roster (updated: March 22, 2017):
Goalkeepers:
Rafael Diaz, Evan Louro
Defenders: Ethan Kutler, Andrew Lombard, Tim Schmoll, David Abidor, Kevin O’Toole, Jordan Scarlett
Midfielders: Vincent Bezecourt, Florian Valot, David Najem, Ben Mines, Zeiko Lewis
Forwards: Stefano Bonomo, Junior Flemmings

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