MONTCLAIR, N.J. – Red Bulls II recorded its first home win of the USL Championship season, a 3-1 victory over against the Charlotte Independence at MSU Soccer Park Wednesday night.

Forward Jeremy Rafanello scored twice in the first half and added an assist as the hosts improved to 2-5-2 and eight points.

After playing Roald Mitchell a through ball, Rafanello found the rebound and placed the ball in the back of the net for his first goal of the season in the eighth minute.

It didn’t take very long for his second goal as Rafanello doubled the lead in the 34th minute. Midfielder Daniel Edelman earned his first professional assist.

Rafanello registered his second assist of the season after finding Mitchell, who scored his second goal of the year and his first at home.

Defenders JC Cortez and Max Andrews both made their professional debuts after coming on in the 85th and 90th minutes, respectively.

Red Bulls II will head on the road to Highmark Stadium to face off against Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC, Friday, June 25.

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.