Ben Mines, who signed as a Homegrown Player with the Red Bulls in the offseason, connected for the game-winner. (Photo courtesy of the Red Bulls)
CLEARWATER, Fla. – For the second successive scrimmage, the final score wound up being 4-3.
But this time the Red Bulls emerged as victors as they defeat the Philadelphia Union by that score at Joe DiMaggio Sports Complex Saturday.
Ben Mines, signed as a Homegrown Player Jan. 8, snapped a 3-3 deadlock late in the third period.
The teams played three 45-minute periods. Derrick Etienne Jr., Alex Muyl and Amando Moreno also scored for the Red Bulls.
The Red Bulls dropped a 4-3 decision to the New England Revolution Wednesday.
On Saturday, New York generated the majority of the attacking opportunities during a scoreless first period. The first group included many 2017 regulars, including Bradley Wright-Phillips, Daniel Royer and Sean Davis.
The Red Bulls had their first opportunity in the 24th minute as Wright-Phillips gained possession atop the penalty area and send a shot toward the far post, but the ball hit woodwork and came back into play. Minutes later, Royer had a chance from inside the box, but goalkeeper Andre Blake made a diving save.
In the second period, New York and Philadelphia each found the back of the net in a 1-1 deadlock.
The Union broke the ice in the 18th minute of that period as C.J. Sapong drew a foul inside the box and converted the ensuing penalty kick.
The Red Bulls responded in the 36th minute as Florian Valot snuck a pass inside the box for Etienne Jr., who struck a hard shot at goalkeeper John McCarthy. He got a piece of the shot, but not enough to keep it out of the back of the net.
In the final period, five goals were scored as the Red Bulls had the last word.
With the Red Bulls applying pressure in the defensive third, Muyl earned possession inside the box and finished to the near post at the five-minute mark. After a Union goal, New York retaliated to regain the lead. Mines began the counter attack with a through ball into the 18 for Vincent Bezecourt, who sent a shot that was saved and redirected back into play. Moreno crashed in on the loose ball and volleyed it into the net for a 3-2 lead.
The Union again pulled level on a give-and-go with 10 minutes remaining.
As time was winding down, Mines ran onto a pass from Andrew Tinari inside the box and finished past the keeper for the game-winner.
The Red Bulls will return to home for two days before flying out for their second preseason stint in Tucson, Ariz. Tuesday.
