Red Bull New York II entered MLS NEXT Pro Decision Day in third place. After Sunday’s results were finalized, the Baby Bulls dropped five places into the play-in round.
On a rainy Sunday afternoon at MSU Soccer Park, the Red Bulls were defeated 2-1 by visiting Huntsville City FC. After Red Bull II finished eighth and Huntsville secured the ninth and final playoff spot, these sides will meet again in the play-in round.
Red Bull New York II head coach Dominik Wohlert spoke of the disappointment felt by the squad, though he pointed to several positive trends and promised a strong performance when New York meets Huntsville in a rematch under the playoff spotlight.
Wohlert: ‘We Have To Turn the Page and Focus on the Good Things’
“Today, everyone is a bit down, everyone is a bit frustrated,” Wohlert said following Sunday’s defeat. “Now we have to turn that page and we have to focus on the good things. I think when we are able to do that, and we will, then we will see again a different performance from us with a better score in the end.
“We are playing good football on both sides and the intensity and the amount of balls we win high up the field, the amount of transition chances we create, the amount of ball possession we have, the amount of times we are able to get touches in the opponent box and lead that into chances. I think that’s on a pretty good side.”
Wohlert on Huntsville Rematch: ‘We Will Have a Good Performance’
“So again, it’s trying to refocus in the crucial moments, trying to step up and trying to do your homework in these rest-defence situations, in your set-pieces, because it feels like these moments are a bit more predictable,” he said. “Normally you face them in a good structure when we are ready for these moments and then we should be able to control these situations. So I’m pretty sure we all together we will find the right energy again and we will have a good performance in three weeks against Huntsville.”
Given the international calendar, there will be plenty of time for Red Bull II to prepare for their next encounter with Huntsville.
The MLS NEXT Pro play-in round will be held during the week of October 5-11. Red Bull II will host the play-in match due to their superior finish in the Eastern Conference. No date or time for the match has been confirmed at the time of this article’s posting.
Nate Worth on Huntsville Rematch: ‘If It’s Our Day, We Can Beat This Team for Sure’
Red Bull New York II captain Nate Worth is confident that if the Red Bulls minimize their mistakes and play on the front foot, they’ll stand a strong chance of defeating Huntsville in the play-in round.
“Obviously, it’s not where we want to be,” Worth said. “We don’t want to be playing a play-in game but [the] reality is that we are playing that game. So we’ll look back at film and all that kind of stuff but we know that if it’s our day, we can beat this team for sure. [It’s] just about cleaning up the little things and preparing for when that game comes.
“You look back at the game, and for 90 percent of it, we’re on top of it, we’re trying to push and doing all those kinds of things.”
Pedro Castro Scores in Red Bull II Debut
Recently acquired winger Pedro Castro made his Red Bull New York II debut in Sunday’s contest. The 19-year-old Brazilian scored in the 90th minute, though the Baby Bulls were unable to produce a late equalizer.
“Pedro had his chance today, and I think he had bright moments,” Wohlert said. “He showed exactly what we see from him in training. He definitely has the quality to break down a low block because he’s really shifty and really dynamic in one-against-one situations. He has a really good left foot, but he can also beat you on his right side. So he’s a really interesting profile in the final third, and I think that’s what he showed today.
“His work rate was good. His final actions were pretty proper. For a young guy, a young player, to come into his first game even though the overall score wasn’t perfect and come away with a goal and that feeling, I’m really happy for him.”
Kevin Wender Could Debut for Red Bull II in Playoffs
Castro and full-back Kevin Wender were acquired by Red Bull II on loan from Red Bull Bragantino through the remainder of 2026. Both loans include an option for Red Bull New York to make a permanent transfer.
Wender did not play in Sunday’s regular-season finale. The 18-year-old could make his Red Bull II debut in the MLS NEXT Pro playoffs.
“I’m pretty sure we’ll see Kevin on the field pretty soon as well,” Wohlert said.
Christian Gallagher Finishes as Red Bull II Leading Scorer
Red Bull New York II finished the regular season with 46 points, 13 wins, 10 losses, five draws and two shootout wins. Their plus-10 goal difference ranked fourth in the Eastern Conference.
Christian Gallagher led Red Bull II with nine regular-season goals. Dennis Gjengaar’s seven regular-season assists were the most on Red Bull II, though he recently moved to Eliteserien side Vålerenga.
Goalkeeper Tobias Szewczyk recorded four clean sheets in 17 MLS NEXT Pro regular-season appearances.
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