New York Red Bulls II defeated Connecticut 4-2 in their MLS Next Pro Group Stage fixture on Friday evening. The visitors moved into third place with 44 points, one ahead of the hosts who remain fourth on 43 points after 25 games. Both sides have won 14 and 15 matches respectively, with no draws registered in either team's record so far.
B. Tanyi gave Connecticut an early lead in the 16th minute, but the hosts were unable to extend their advantage before half-time. First-half yellow cards went to E. Gomez for the visitors and S. Kone for the home side, while a double substitution at the break saw Gomez replaced by R. Van Hees and Kone withdrawn for the second period.
R. Mitchell brought New York level in the 61st minute and Connecticut responded through B. Destin's goal in the 80th minute. That brief spell of parity did not last long, as C. Gallagher struck twice in quick succession — first in the 83rd minute and then to seal the victory with a 90th-minute finish. The home side had one more substitution to make, bringing on A. Applewhaite for C. Faello just before the final whistle.
New York collected three yellow cards in the second half through A. Sanchez, N. Benedetti and L. Kamrath, while Gallagher picked up a booking of his own. The visitors converted their chances more effectively, with Mitchell scoring twice and Gallagher netting twice to complete his brace. Connecticut's two goals came from Tanyi and Destin but proved insufficient against the visitors' attacking threat.
The result keeps New York in third place with a four-point gap to the leaders, while Connecticut sit a point behind them in fourth. Both teams have played 25 matches and neither has drawn any game this season. The visitors had won four of their last five outings before this result, while the hosts had taken seven points from their previous three matches.
