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Red Bulls II Disappointed After Defeat

By NICHOLAS MURRAY - nicholas.murray@uslsoccer.com, 09/17/17, 1:38PM EDT

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Wolyniec lauds ‘fantastic environment’ after first loss to Cincinnati


Photo courtesy Brett Hansbauer / FC Cincinnati

CINCINNATI – Entering Saturday night’s contest on a six-game undefeated streak, the New York Red Bulls II knew any kind of result against FC Cincinnati at Nippert Stadium would continue the club’s drive toward a third consecutive berth in the USL Cup Playoffs.

After playing its part in an enthralling 4-2 FCC victory in front of a USL-record crowd of 30,417 at Nippert Stadium, the side was left to rue the opportunities it missed, and those its hosts capitalized on, as if fell to Cincinnati for the first time in its history.

“It doesn't matter how much you dominate the game or how many good moments you have, it's about how you come up in certain moments and around goals so you have to give them credit in that sense,” said Red Bulls II Head Coach John Wolyniec. “We certainly did a lot of good things in the attack, had our own good moments and maybe a little unfortunate in certain times to not get another goal, then who knows how the game goes?”

Maybe the biggest moment for the Red Bulls II came just before the hour-mark when it trailed by a goal. A misplayed pass at the back by Cincinnati let in Junior Flemmings for a clear look on goal from the top of the penalty area, but the Jamaican’s shot to the bottom-left corner produced a big kick-save by FCC goalkeeper Mitch Hildebrandt to keep the hosts ahead.

Ten minutes later Cincinnati grabbed two goals in the span of five minutes as spectacular finishes by Harrison Delbridge and Kenney Walker put the hosts out of reach, and above New York into sixth place in the USL Eastern Conference standings.

“I thought we deserved better than this, we lost control of the game at some point and they got four great goals, can't do anything about it,” said Red Bulls II midfielder Florian Valot. “We should a little bit more on some of them but I think overall, we played great and we shouldn't be disappointed by that. Of course, it's a tough loss on the road to the playoffs but have to keep our head up and go to the next game.”

Valot ended up with both goals for New York on the night, the first tying the game in the 18th minute off a well-worked corner kick that allowed him to sweep home a first-time shot from the center of the penalty area, the second a late consolation. Flemmings also hit the crossbar with a rasping shot from 25 yards moment before his bigger chance as the visitors held the upper hand in possession, shots and shot on goal for the contest.

“We're obviously a little disappointed right now, we put a lot into the game,” said Wolyniec. “It's unfortunate to come up on the bad side of a result but it was a fantastic environment, a really good game, great goals, Cincinnati really scored some top-notch goals. We let down in a couple moments and it cost us. You know in a lot of ways I think we played really well.”


Photo courtesy Brett Hansbauer / FC Cincinnati

Despite the defeat, the Red Bulls II remain in good shape to reach the postseason. After Orlando City B’s loss and the Pittsburgh Riverhounds’ draw on Saturday night, New York is seventh in the Eastern Conference as it stands, and eighth in total points available as it heads home. With a clash against the 10th-place Riverhounds up next at MSU Soccer Park after a week off, the path to the postseason remains in the defending USL Cup champion’s hands.

“We put a lot into this game and emotionally we're probably pretty drained so we get a little time to decompress and recover, physically and mentally,” said Wolyniec. “At the same time, this week we get to put a lot into it and hopefully we can continue to improve and get better and find a couple more ways to fine tune things and put out more good performances and get good results.”

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