MONTCLAIR, N.Y. — Red Bulls II (6-7-3, 21 points), on the back of a Brandon Allen goal in the 26th minute, defeated Saint Louis FC (4-6-3, 15 points), 1-0 Saturday at MSU Soccer Park.
The win snapped a two-game home losing streak for Red Bulls II, temporarily elevating them to fifth place in the USL Eastern Conference standings.
Allen scored off a Vincent Bezecourt free-kick that Adam Grinwis of Saint Louis FC couldn’t handle. The shot fell to the foot of Allen who tapped it in for his 30th career USL goal across all competitions, and ninth on the year.
Despite out-possessing Saint Louis 62 percent to 38 percent in the first half, Red Bulls II went to halftime up just one goal.
Coupled with a number of changes for both sides, New York nearly doubled their lead in the 49th as Florian Valot’s shot in front of a wide-open net was denied by a diving Grinwis.
Rafael Diaz was in goal for NYRB II and came up big on goal-saving stop in the 65th minute to preserve his first clean sheet of 2017.
The equalizer was almost found in the 87th minute for Saint Louis, but Guzman’s shot off the post kept it out.
New York Red Bulls II return to the pitch Sunday, July 9 away at Bethlehem Steel FC. Kickoff is set for 5 p.m. ET.
Starting Lineups:
 
New York: Diaz; Najem, Scarlett, Ndam (Tim Schmoll, 46th minute), Kutler, Metzger, Basuljeciv, Bezecourt, Etienne, Allen (Douglas Martinez, 86th minute), Valot (Junior Flemmings, 73rd minute)
Saint Louis: Grinwis; Charpie, Cochran, Plewa, Howe, Ahmetovic (Christian Volesky, 58th minute), Dalgaard (Tyler David, 76th minute), Alihodzic, Stojkov, Bjurman (Octavio Guzman, 65th minute), Angulo
Scoring Summary:
 
New York: Allen 26′ (9, unassisted)
 
Discipline Summary:
New York: Ethan Kutler 32′, Arun Basuljevic 43′, Brandon Allen 56′

Front Row Soccer editor Michael Lewis has covered 13 World Cups (eight men, five women), seven Olympics and 25 MLS Cups. He has written about New York City FC, New York Cosmos, the New York Red Bulls and both U.S. national teams for Newsday and has penned a soccer history column for the Guardian.com. Lewis, who has been honored by the Press Club of Long Island and National Soccer Coaches Association of America, is the former editor of BigAppleSoccer.com. He has written seven books about the beautiful game and has published ALIVE AND KICKING The incredible but true story of the Rochester Lancers. It is available at Amazon.com.