A LOOK BACK:
U20s:
The Red Bull U20s are not in season.
U18s: The Red Bull U18s are not in season.
U16s: The Red Bull U16s are not in season.
U15s: The Red Bull U15s are not in season.
U14s: The Red Bull U14s are split into two groups, the U14 1996 team and the U14 Pre Academy team. The U14 Pre Academy side posted a clean sheet in its match, while the U14 1996 team advanced to the semifinals of the MAPS Fall Challenge.
On Sunday, November 15, the Red Bulls U14 Pre Academy team defeated U14 Oakwood Soccer Club, 2-0. The Red Bulls dominated the game early on, enjoying long spells on possession. Matt Mahoney (Poughkeepsie, NY) opened the scoring, linking up well with Arun Basuljevic (Mahopac, NY) on the edge of the area before chipping the Oakwood keeper.
It was much of the same in the second half for the Red Bulls. Basuljevic was again the provider for the second goal when his free kick was met by Clayton Taylor (Mendham, NJ).
"It was a very good performance both from a team and individual play today," said Director of Youth Programs, Bob Montgomery. "I would still like to see this group create more goal scoring opportunities. They keep the ball well but sometimes lack the killer instinct in front of goal."
The U14 1996 team participated in the MAPS Fall Challenge tournament over the past weekend, falling at the semifinal stage. On Saturday, November 14, the Red Bulls narrowly lost, 1-2, against U14 Montclair Gauchos in the first match of group play.
"I thought we did well and dominated most parts of the game, but we missed too many chances and got punished for it," said head coach Antonio Meza.
The young Red Bulls rebounded from the loss with a, 1-0, win over U14 FC Lehigh United, thanks to a goal from Justin Yacovino (North Bergen, NJ) in the second game of the day.
"One of the good things we did in this tournament was compete," commented Meza. "I saw the group connect and work hard together, and they didn't give up. Lehigh were very physical and we found the way to play the game in our terms."
On Sunday, November 15, the Red Bulls defeated New York Soccer Club NYSC 1-0 in the final match of group play to advance to the semifinals.
In the semifinals, the Red Bulls dropped a, 4-1, decision to U14 FC Copa. The Red Bulls came close to pulling themselves back into the match several times, hitting the crossbar twice and the post once, but just couldn't find the back of the net at crucial points in the match.
"The group is growing and getting better in different aspects," noted Meza. "They are competing a lot more than the beginning of the season, and they prove to themselves that they can get results again stronger competition."
A LOOK AHEAD:
Saturday, November 21
U14 1996 Red Bulls @ U14 Highland SC 12:00pm
U14 Pre Academy Red Bulls vs. U14 FC Delco 12:00pm @ Rutgers-Newark
