FENTON, Mo. – Saint Louis FC and the New York Red Bulls II created plenty of swings on Saturday. Ultimately, it was the host side that grabbed the final say as Seth Rudolph scored an 84th-minute winner during a 3-2 victory at Toyota Stadium at the World Wide Technology Soccer Park. The game featured three different lead changes. Christian Volesky scored in just the third minute for STLFC. Then it was NYRB II’s Brandon Allen who made an impact early in the second half with a goal and an assist on Vincent Bezecourt’s tally for a lead. Jose Angulo turned the tide with a 74th-minute penalty kick conversion to tie the score and then assisted second-half sub Rudolph’s winner 10 minutes later. With the win, STLFC improves to 2-0-1 (7 points) while NYRB II falls to 1-2-1 (4 points) and drops its second straight.

Scoring:
3’ – STL – Christian Volesky
52’ – NY – Brandon Allen (Florian Valot)
58’ – NY – Vincent Bezecourt (Brandon Allen)
74’ – STL – Jose Angulo (penalty)
84’ – STL – Seth Rudolph (Jose Angulo)

Three Things That Mattered:

• 1. Seth Rudolph was the hero Saturday with his slotted ball into the left side of the frame to lift Saint Louis to the comeback win. The surge was courtesy of a redirected header from Jose Angulo in a quick buildup to pick apart New York’s defense. Angulo had a massive second half overall, coolly converted a 74th-minute PK calmly into the left side of the frame to tie the score at 2-2. 

• 2. The match was pretty balanced from a statistical standpoint, whether it was possession or passing accuracy. When tracing back to this game on its entirety, though, the defenses will be having long look at this one as there were a number of moments that should have been tighter among their respective back lines. New York did a good job turning things around in the second half, but early on it was a defensive error in judgment that led to Christian Volesky’s opening tally in just the third minute. NYRB II captain Justin Bilyeu’s attempted shield of the ball in a dangerous territory cost him as Volesky outmuscled him to intercept the ball and slot past NYRB II goalkeeper Evan Louro.

• 3. Though it came in a losing effort, the 2016 USL Rookie of the Year had his voice heard Saturday. Allen brought a spark to the Red Bulls II and did so in his usual manner of finding himself in the right spots. Allen made a strong near right post run to tally a 52nd-minute equalizer. Then he set up Vincent Bezecourt’s 58th-minute header with a beautiful left-footed cross from the right side. Bezecourt snuck in behind a bevy of Saint Louis defenders for a 2-1 advantage, but the defense was unable to halt the host team in the final 26 minutes and change.

USLSoccer.com Man of the Match:
Jose Angulo, Saint Louis FC – Angulo tallied the game-tying penalty kick and 10 minutes later assisted Seth Rudolph’s winner during a thrilling stretch run.

Upcoming Games:
Saint Louis FC at Pittsburgh Riverhounds – April 12, 7 p.m. ET, Highmark Stadium
New York Red Bulls II vs. Orlando City B – April 14, 7 p.m. ET, MSU Soccer Park