CHARLOTTE, N.C. – The New York Red Bulls II took a 2-1 victory against the Charlotte Independence on Saturday night at Ramblewood Stadium to avenge their only loss of the season so far, and move within a point of first place in the Eastern Conference. After a weather delay of more than an hour, the Red Bulls II took the lead in the 15th minute when a cross from the right by Florian Valot was headed home at the back post by Stefano Bonomo. The Red Bulls II carried the lead to the halftime break, but the Independence hit back four minutes into the second half when a turnover forced by Enzo Martinez got the ball to Brian Brown, whose cross was nodded home by Jun Marques Davidson for his first goal for the club. The Independence pressed to take the lead, but were reduced to 10 men on the hour mark when Brown was sent off for a strong, sliding challenge. Moment later, NYRBII regained the lead as Dan Metzger slotted home a shot from a corner. Charlotte looked to respond despite being down a man, and hit the crossbar through Shane Johnson with 18 minutes to go, but the Red Bulls II held on to take a big win on the road.

Scoring:
15’ – NY – Stefano Bonomo (Florian Valot)
49’ – CLT – Jun Marques Davidson (Brian Brown)
63’ – NY – Dan Metzger

Three Things That Matter:

• 1. One of the hallmarks for the Red Bulls II in their recent run of form has been getting out to a strong start, and that continued on Saturday night when Stefano Bonomo was on hand to put home a beautiful cross by Florian Valot for the early lead. In stark contrast to the first meeting between the teams, when the Independence grabbed control early and made it count, the Red Bulls II remained sharp despite the hour-plus weather delay that pushed back kickoff.
• 2. The Independence pulled momentum in their favor to start the second half, and were rewarded with Jun Marques Davidson’s first goal for the club, but after providing a fine assist on the goal, Brian Brown’s red card turned the game back in favor of the visitors, who less than five minutes later regained the lead. Charlotte had chances to try and get back on level terms, including an effort by Shane Johnson hitting the woodwork off a set piece, but down to 10 men against a solid defensive side, it was always going to be difficult, and the Red Bulls closed out the victory late.
• 3. The Red Bulls II entered the game look for a little revenge against the only team to have defeated them so far this season, and they got it to extend their undefeated streak to 11 games. More importantly, though, the victory will keep the pressure on Louisville City FC at the top of the Eastern Conference standings for Coach John Wolyniec’s side as they head for a massive contest on the road at FC Cincinnati on Wednesday night in the USL Game of the Week on ESPN3.

USLSoccer.com Man of the Match

Stefano Bonomo, New York Red Bulls II – Bonomo scored a fine opening goal,  and proved a threat for most of the night as the Red Bulls II took a big road win.

Upcoming Games:

Charlotte Independence at Pittsburgh Riverhounds – July 23, 7 p.m. ET, Highmark Stadium

New York Red Bulls II at FC Cincinnati – July 20, 7 p.m. ET, Nippert Stadium