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Red Bulls II Stun Rowdies on Road

By NICHOLAS MURRAY - nicholas.murray@uslsoccer.com, 10/28/17, 10:28PM EDT

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Defending champions advance in extra time behind Bonomo, Louro


Photo courtesy Matt May / Tampa Bay Rowdies

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – The No. 7-seed New York Red Bulls II got big performances by Stefano Bonomo and goalkeeper Evan Louro to earn a 2-1 victory against the No. 3-seed Tampa Bay Rowdies after extra time in the Eastern Conference Semifinals of the 2017 USL Cup Playoffs on Saturday night at Al Lang Stadium. The Rowdies almost took the lead in the opening minute of extra time as a cross by Michael Nanchoff was redirected on goal by New York defender Hassan Ndam, but Louro scrambled to keep it out of the net. Moments later the Red Bulls II took the lead as Bonomo scored his second of the night. A good move down the right offered the chance for a low delivery by Florian Valot to deliver to the top of the six-yard area, and Bonomo’s first-time finish turned the chance home. Tampa Bay almost found an equalizer early in the second period as New York’s Junior Flemmings cleared off the line from Martin Paterson, and the former Northern Ireland international flashed another shot just wide in the 110th minute. Paterson again went close three minutes later with a turning shot, only for the effort to flew just wide of the left post, and Sebastian Guenzatti then went close as he fired just over from 20 yards. Louro again denied the Rowdies in the 120th minute as Paterson won on the door-step, only for the Red Bulls II goalkeeper to make a point-blank save. Hunter Gorskie had the last chance in stoppage time for the Rowdies, hitting the right post from a tight angle, but New York held on for a remarkable victory. The Rowdies had taken the lead in the 26th minute as a half-cleared corner kick came to Zac Portillos, whose long shot deflected at the top of the penalty area and fell perfectly for Hristov, who calmly slotted home into the left corner. The Rowdies almost doubled their lead early in the second half when Gorskie’s header from a corner went off the crossbar, but New York got a chance to level from the penalty spot when Junior Flemmings was brought down by Pickens in the penalty area, and Stefano Bonomo converted to the left corner. The Rowdies almost grabbed victory late in regulation, but Louro made a big save to deny Michael Nanchoff from eight yards, and then another moments later to keep out Guenzatti. New York also went close in stoppage time, only for Rowdies goalkeeper Matt Pickens to make a huge save to keep out Ben Mines in stoppage time to send the game to extra time, but there Bonomo and Louro came through to send the defending champion through.

Scoring:
26’ – TBR – Georgi Hristov
58’ – NY – Stefano Bonomo (penalty)
93’ – NY – Stefano Bonomo (Florian Valot)

  • #TBRvNY: Full Match and Opta Box Score

Three Things That Matter:

  • 1. Stefano Bonomo’s strike rate in front of goal has been remarkable since returning to the Red Bulls II lineup from injury in midseason, and on Saturday night the standout striker again proved the difference for his side. Another pair of goals, including a trademark striker’s finish early in extra time, highlighted another stellar display that showed off Bonomo’s predatory instincts as he was a step quicker to create the space for his chances. After Brandon Allen led New York to a USL Cup a season ago, Bonomo has filled his shoes in this year’s run for the Red Bulls II.

  • 2. The Red Bulls II’s pressure had threatened to cause a goal in the first half as the Rowdies made some poor giveaways in their own half, and just before the hour-mark it came to fruition for the visitors. Junior Flemmings picked the pocket of Rowdies defender Hunter Gorskie to drive in on goal, and was brought down by goalkeeper Matt Pickens to earn New York a penalty kick, which Stefano Bonomo calmly put away to level the game, and make it a brand-new game.

  • 3. New York was a standout side on the road in the 2016 season, and with back-to-back victories on the road in the postseason as it tries to defend its USL Cup title appears to have hit the same level as road warriors. On Saturday night, though, it needed a standout performance by goalkeeper Evan Louro to send the side through. The former Academy player came through both late in regulation and in extra time to keep the Rowdies from a second goal on the night, and gave the Red Bulls II a thrilling victory in one of the best games in USL Cup Playoffs history.

USLSoccer.com Man of the Match

Evan Louro, New York Red Bulls II – Louro pulled off game-saving saves in both regulation and extra time to send the Red Bulls II through to a rematch in the Eastern Conference Final with Louisville City FC.

Upcoming Games:
Tampa Bay Rowdies
– End of Season
Eastern Conference Final – New York Red Bulls II at Louisville City FC, 7:30 p.m. ET, Nov. 4, Slugger Field 

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