Columbus Crew II Shutout Red Bulls II In Eastern Conference Matchup

By Luke Cirianni

 

On Sunday April 28th, the Columbus Crew II took a trip down to MSU Soccer Park to take on the Red Bulls II.  The match was mostly controlled by Columbus, who walked away with a 2-0 victory on the road.  This was the first Red Bulls regulation loss of the 2024 MLS Next Pro season.  Both goals were scored in the first half, Chase Adams in the sixth minute, and Brent Adu-Gyamfi in the fortieth minute right before halftime.  The only other major point in the match was a Columbus Crew II red card by Adrian Gonzalez in the eightieth minute.  The story of the match was Columbus dominating and controlling the midfield.

Coach Ibrahim Sekagya’s big move in the second half was taking off sixteen year old star Julian Hall, for another sixteen year old- Tanner Rosbourogh.  “Tanner brought a lot to the table off the bench” coach Sekagya said, “he was our spark in the second half while trailing.  Although we didn’t score, Tanner showed us some positive progress in our attack.”  Youth is a huge factor for this team, as there were only two players over the age of twenty in the Red Bulls II starting lineup.  “I think our team is very talented, but young,” Ibrahim Sekagya added.  “A lot of these guys have so much room to grow.  Today was a learning experience, and we will strive for better.”

“I thought the first goal was unlucky on my part,” goalkeeper Aiden Stoke said.  “I made the initial save one vs one, but couldn’t get back in time to stop the follow up shot.”  When he was asked about the lack of attack today, he said, “we’re still very talented in the front, not everyone can always have a perfect match.  The effort was there, we just have to work harder to finish our chances.  We have practices this week to address struggles like this.”

 A key miss in the match was a rare missed opportunity from Julian Hall, who missed the bar after he received a mistaken pass from the Columbus goalkeeper.

The Columbus Crew really needed this result.  They now sit at sixth place in the Eastern Conference, in a three way tie with Cincinnati II and Inter Miami II.  Their next opponent is Toronto FC II on Sunday May 5th at 3 PM.  The Red Bulls travel down to Miami on Saturday May 3rd, to play Inter Miami II, who are on a two game losing streak.  Red Bulls II find themselves in a three way tie for second place, sharing 14 points with Philadelphia Union II and Chicago FC II.  They have a big test on Saturday night in Florida to get back to the top of the conference.

The Red Bulls II have a two game road trip coming up vs Inter Miami II and Orlando City U-23 before returning home to face Cincinnati II on May 19th.  These games are huge for playoff implications. Red Bulls II continues to chase success going into the summer.