New York Red Bulls II take victory at home over struggling Atlanta FC II

The New York Red Bulls II hosted fellow MLS NEXT Pro expansion club Atlanta United II Monday night at MSU Soccer Park where the Red Bulls took home their 12th win of the season in a 4-2 thriller between the two teams.

Atlanta didn’t hesitate to get on the scoreboard first as in the 18th minute Nick Firmino found himself putting the ball in the back of the net. Karim Tmimi blasted a powerful shot on goal which was saved by Will Myer but wasn’t enough as it fell to the feet of Firmino who quickly put it in the back of the net from a few yards out.

It didn’t take long for the Red Bulls to respond as in the 20th minute Wiki Carmona found Ibrahim Kasule who took a touch and ripped a shot right outside the box to grab his 12th goal of the season and make it 1-1. This was Carmona’s first assist of the season.

The Red Bulls didn’t stop there, in the 28th minute Wiki Carmona once again whipped in a cross from the left flank to find the head of Frank Ssebufu which he powerfully headed on goal and into the back of the net to increase the Red Bulls lead to 2-1. This is Ssebufu’s seventh goal of the season.

New York would continue to keep scoring in the first half as Wiki Carmona got one of his own in the 39th minute. Carmona found open space and sent a powerful shot outside the box past the keeper that struck the right post and found the back of the net for his sixth goal of the season. This increased the Red Bull’s lead to 3-1. 

The scoring continued to carry into the second half as Carmona was fouled inside the box, winning a penalty that would be taken by Ibrahim Kasule. The Ugandan calmly put the ball into the right side of the goal to give Red Bulls II a three-goal lead. The brace put Kasule in fourth for the MLS NEXT Pro Golden Boot race, only three goals behind the current leader.

Atlanta would continue to fight back as Alan Carleton grabbed back a goal in the 78th minute, but it wasn’t enough as the Red Bulls finished winning the game 4-2 and continuing their strong form in the season.

New York Red Bulls II return to action on Sunday, August 27, to host Chicago Fire FC II at MSU Soccer Park. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:00 pm E.T.