Huntsville City ran out 4-1 winners over New England II in MLS Next Pro Group Stage action on Saturday night. The visitors moved clear of the hosts on the standings, both sides having played 25 matches. New England remain seventh with 42 points while Huntsville sit tenth on 38.
M. Zambrano opened the scoring in the sixth minute for the away side. Z. Yanez doubled the lead with a goal in the 24th hour before J. Knight added a third just after the break in the 48th. Yanez completed his hat-trick in the 66th minute and C. Brunet pulled one back late on for the hosts in the 88th.
Huntsville City's efficiency was the story. They hit the target five times from ten attempts, yet managed four goals. New England II registered four shots on target from seven attempts and could only find the net once. Possession was even at 49 per cent to 51, but the visitors threw bodies in the way when it mattered.
Three yellow cards arrived on each side. Z. Yanez, L. Azar, M. Caicedo, M. Morgan and I. LeFlore were booked, with M. Zambrano also sin-binned. Huntsville City made fewer substitutions, bringing on J. Knight in the 66th and Z. Yanez in the 73rd before finishing with C. Oliveira and N. Sullivan in the 81st for the hosts.
The result cuts further into New England II's unbeaten hopes. They have not won since their 2-1 victory over Connecticut on the 9th of August. Huntsville City kept their side in contention, holding their nerve after a shaky start to the season when they lost 0-2 to Carolina Core.
