New York Red Bulls II of MLS NEXT Pro cruised to a 5-1 victory over the Hudson Valley Hammers (USL-2) on a cold, windy night in Montclair, N.J. to advance to Round 2 of the 2024 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup on Wednesday.
The frigid conditions did not do any favors for either team. In the opening minutes, New York Red Bulls II goalkeeper Aiden Stokes fell down unimpeded, and Hudson Valley had an early chip from midfield go wide with the swirling wind. There was further chaos in the 12th minute as a dangerous pass from Hudson Valley was intercepted by NYRBII striker Mohammed Sofo. Sofo was immediately tackled by Hudson Valley’s Dylan Evande, but as he was the last defender bringing down a striker, he was shown a red card. A steep hill became a vertical climb for Hudson Valley as they were reduced to 10 men.
It would take just five minutes for the Red Bulls II to take advantage. Sofo ran onto a diagonal pass into the Hudson Valley penalty area and squared a low cross for Dylan Sullivan to give the home side a 1-0 advantage. Sofo was a menace to Hudson Valley much of the night and his hard work paid off when he scored the second goal of the game in the 43rd minute. Ibrahim Kasule’s shot from just outside the box was parried right into the path of Sofo, who was quickest to react and smashed it home. Red Bulls II may have felt a little warmer up 2-0 at the halftime break.
Red Bulls II added to its lead in the second half with goals from Antigua and Barbuda youth international Aiden Jarvis in the 63rd minute, Malick Dembele in the 83rd minute, and Kasule rounded out the scoring in second-half stoppage time. The Hammers fought bravely given their situation. They would have their moment of Open Cup magic in the 79th minute, when Israel Neto received a bouncing pass inside the Red Bull 2 penalty area, took a touch over goalkeeper Aiden Stokes, and then finished the shot with an audacious bicycle kick into the empty Red Bull 2 net. It was the first US Open Cup goal in Hudson Valley Hammers history and it will be tough to beat. Although it was not enough to inspire a Cupset, it is surely something the team can take away from this year’s tournament.
Another source of immense pride for both teams was goalkeepers Aiden Stokes and Steven Ortiz. Each parried, punched, and powered through the conditions to keep their respective sides in the match. Although the score line may seem ugly, Ortiz faced 14 shots on target from Red Bulls II and put in an excellent shift for his short-handed team. The same can be said of Stokes, who may have conceded the late goal to Neto but still commanded his area well and wasn’t afraid of what must have been a very heavy, and wet soccer ball.
The frigid conditions did not deter the supporter clubs of Red Bull Arena’s Southward (Empire Supporters Club, Viking Army, and Torcida 96), who sang loudly and proudly through the 90 minutes in support of their club’s future stars. They also voiced their disapproval of recent US Open Cup decisions by Major League Soccer in this year’s tournament.
Despite the politics, this match had friendly undertones, as the Hudson Valley Hammers were founded with the help of former Red Bulls academy product, and Hudson Valley native, Tyler Adams. As soon as the match got underway, amicable relationships were put on pause as both clubs fought for the right to advance.
