HARRISON, N.J. (July 22, 2015) - The New York Red Bulls earned a 4-2 win over defending English Premier League Champions Chelsea FC on Wednesday evening at Red Bull Arena behind four goals from Red Bulls Academy products. Franklin Castellanos and Tyler Adams, making their first senior team appearances, put New York ahead in the second half, while MLS rookie Sean Davis scored twice to see the Red Bulls to victory.
It was the first team debut for 15 Red Bulls and NYRB II players, including seven in the Red Bulls' Starting XI. After Tuesday's match in the quarterfinals of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, fresh legs were needed for head coach Jesse Marsch's side.
Kyle Reynish, along with draft picks Leo Stolz and Shawn McLaws, made their debuts, as well as four players called up from New York Red Bulls II, the Red Bulls United Soccer League affiliate. Forward Chris Tsonis got the call, along with three Red Bulls Academy products, Konrad Plewa, Dan Bedoya and Tyler Adams.
Mike da Fonte, along with Academy products Franklin Castellanos and Dan Metzger, all made their debuts at the start of the second half, followed by Santiago Castano, Jamie Thomas, Bolu Akinyode, Victor Manosalvas, Colin Heffron and Devon Williams.
In all, nine players with ties to the Red Bulls Academy saw time against the Blues.
Chelsea got on the board in the 26th minute, when Loic Remy found himself with the ball inside the penalty area. Remy was able to navigate into space and fire a shot past a diving Reynish.
Marius Obekop had an opportunity in the 43rd minute, when a high-pressing Bedoya forced Chelsea goalkeeper Thibault Curtois into a turnover. Obekop ran onto the ball and put it on-frame, but Curtois was able to recover and deny the effort.
Castellanos leveled the match in the 51st minute when he jumped on a John Terry back pass and slotted away his chance, his second professional goal and first with the Red Bulls.
Adams, a 16-year old, gave New York the lead in the 69th minute and Sean Davis made it 3-1, thanks to service from Castellanos.
Chelsea cut the lead in half when a low free kick found Eden Hazard at the top of the box, who drove a low-shot through traffic inside the left post, to make it 3-2.
Sean Davis grabbed his brace to regain the two-goal advantage when Heffron provided a cross from the end line. Davis found the loose ball and smashed in his chance inside the near post.
Castano made a diving save to deny a header from Oscar late in the match, and the New York Red Bulls, playing a team made up mostly of New York Red Bulls II players, defeated the champions of England, 4-2.
New York Red Bulls II are back in action on Saturday, June 25 with a match against the Richmond Kickers. Kickoff at Red Bull Arena is set for 4:00 p.m.
The Red Bulls first team closes out the International Champions Cup group with a match against S.L. Benfica on Sunday night at Red Bull Arena.