New York Red Bulls II 4-2 New York City FC II 2025 MLS NEXT Pro Regular Season - Matchweek 19 Date: Sunday, July 20, 2025 | Kickoff: 7:03pm ET Location: Montclair | New Jersey, NJ
New York City FC II fell 4-2 to Red Bulls II in the Hudson River Derby on Sunday evening. An exhilarating first half saw five goals scored as the lead changed hands multiple times. Goals from Uriel Zeitz and Eligio Guarino put the visitors ahead 2-1, before two quick-fire goals from Red Bulls II gave the hosts the halftime lead. A stoppage-time goal from Mijahir Jiménez confirmed the win for the hosts.
UP NEXT: The Boys in Blue return home to face off against Eastern Conference rival Philadelphia Union II at Icahn Stadium, New York on Saturday, July 26 at 4:00pm ET.
After today’s contest, New York City FC II holds a 3-4-3 (W-L-D) record in the series.
In their most recent home match against New England Revolution II, New York City II won 6-2. It was the most goals New York City II scored in all competitions in 2024.
In the series history, New York City FC II has scored 21 goals and conceded 15 goals.
At home against New England Revolution II, New York City FC II holds a 2-1-2 (W-L-D) record, scoring 12 goals and conceding seven.
New York City FC II’s home record at Belson Stadium this year stands at 4-2-2 after this match.
New York City FC II has scored 17 goals and conceded 12 goals at home this season.
New York City FC II made a lineup adjustment today, featuring midfielders Luka Sunjic and Uriel Zietz in the starting eleven. The match marks the first career start for both players with New York City FC II.
Today’s match marked the third time New York City FC II has entered halftime in a scoreless draw. The club holds a 1-1-1 record in matches where the score is 0-0 at the half.
New York City FC II finishes the month of May with a 2-2-1 record, while scoring 12 goals and allowing nine goals.
Midfielder Luka Sunjic started in todays match, marking the first start in his career for New York City FC II.
Midfielder Uriel Zietz started in today's match, marking the first start in his career for New York City FC II.
NEW YORK CITY FC II HEAD COACH MATT PILKINGTON
Thoughts on the first half compared to the second half... “The second half was a bit more controlled, not as chaotic. The first half was pretty back and forth with chances. Both teams were more controlled in the second half, and it was a little bit tighter given the scoring.”
14’- NYRB II - Mijahir Jiménez [91]
Scored with right footed shot from the center of the box to the lower left central zone. Assisted by Rafael Mosquera [79], second assist by Andy Rojas [70]
20’ - NYCFC II - Uriel Zeitz [99]
Scored with right footed shot from the center of the box to the bottom left corner. Assisted by Julien Lacher [64].
31’ - NYCFC II – Leo Guarino [75]
Scored with right footed shot from the center of the box to the central bottom zone. Assisted by Julien Lacher [64].
35’ - NYRB II – Nehuen Benedetti [39]
Scored with left footed shot from the center of the box to the lower right zone. Assisted by Mijahir Jiménez [91].
39’ - NYRB II – Mijahir Jiménez [91]
Scored with right footed shot from the center of the box to the lower left zone. Assisted by Rafael Mosquera [79].
90+4’ - NYRB II – Mijahir Jiménez [91]
Scored with right footed shot from the center of the box to the upper right central zone.
[14] Marcelo Morales (86’ - [56] Matthew Dos Santos)
[77] Adri Mehmeti
[91] Mijahir Jiménez
[88] Aiden Jarvis (75’ - [80] Nate Worth)
[34] Juan Gutierrez
[50] Jair Collahuazo
[39] Nehuen Benedetti (86’ - [82] Ibrahim Kasule)
Head Coach: Matt Pilkington
[80] Brennan Klein
[68] Chris Tiao
[73] Collin McCamy
[33] Prince Amponsah
[77] Jonathan Lopez
[78] Evan Lim
[71] Peter Molinari (90+3’ [91] David Duque)
[99] Uriel Zeitz (58’ - [72] Luka Sunjic)
[23] Max Murray
[42] Piero Elias
[2] Nico Cavallo
[75] Leo Guarino
[64] Julien Lacher
Subs Unused
[24] Cutis Ofori
[35] Brooklyn Schwarz
[55] Austin Causey
[89] Christian Gallagher
Subs Unused
[58] Pierce Infuso
[70] Mac Learned
[82] Adonis Campos
[87] Jack Loura
[90] Dylan McDermott
NYRB II Yellow Cards (2)
46'- Juan Gutierrez [34]
67’ - Marcelo Morales [14]
Red Cards (0)
NYC II Yellow Cards (1)
60’ - Collin McCamy [73]
Red Cards (0)
Referee: Thomas Snyder
Ast. Referee 1: Jake Brochu
Ast. Referee 2: Justen Lopez
Fourth Official: Stephanie MacFarland
The second Hudson River Derby of the MLS NEXT Pro season unfolded on Sunday in New Jersey.
Head Coach Matt Pilkington made just one change to the side that defeated Toronto FC II earlier in the week, as Julien Lacher replaced Jacob Arroyave in the starting lineup.
The opening stages were fast and frenetic, with both sides pressing with intensity before the game found its rhythm around the ten-minute mark.
The hosts opened the scoring in the 14th minute, when Rafael Mosquera squared the ball to Mijahir Jiménez, who lashed home a powerful finish.
NYCFC II nearly produced an immediate response when Piero Elias met a back-post cross, but his effort flew over the bar. The visitors wouldn’t be denied for long, however. Lacher whipped in a low cross that found Uriel Zeitz, and the forward made no mistake, rifling in a composed first-time finish into the bottom corner. NYCFC II continued to push and came close again in the 28th minute. Lacher broke in behind the defense and fired a low shot on goal, forcing Aidan Stokes into a save that yielded a corner.
Just three minutes later, the breakthrough came. Lacher again caused problems down the flank, this time squaring for Eligio Guarino, who bundled the ball home from close range to make it 2-1.
The lead was short-lived. The hosts struck back almost immediately through Neuhén Benedetti, leveling the score once again in a seesawing encounter.
And the first half took yet another twist when Jiménez grabbed his second of the game, driving a clinical finish into the bottom right corner to restore the home side’s advantage.
The second half began with few clear-cut chances for either side. The first real threat came in the 55th minute, when Marcelo Morales let fly from distance, sending his effort just wide of the target.
In response, Head Coach Matt Pilkington made his first substitution two minutes later, introducing Luka Sunjic in place of Zeitz.
Determined to claw their way back into the contest, NYCFC II pushed forward in search of an equalizer. In the 71st minute, Jonathan Guarino nearly doubled his tally with a clever poked effort, but Stokes reacted well to smother the shot.
Shortly after, Jonny Lopez fashioned a promising opportunity of his own. Winning a 50-50 challenge deep in his own half, he surged 30 to 40 yards upfield before unleashing an effort that, unfortunately, failed to trouble the goalkeeper.
As the clock ticked down, Pilkington made a second change, bringing on David Duque for Peter Molinari.
Despite a tightly contested second half, NYCFC II were dealt a final blow in stoppage time. A swift counterattack from the hosts ended with Jiménez completing his hat-trick, putting the result beyond doubt.
That proved to be the final act of the evening, capping off a frustrating night for NYCFC II in the Hudson River Derby.
