A Penalty Shootout Thriller in USL League One
Red Bull New York II fought back from a deficit to earn a hard‑won point in a 5‑4 shootout loss to FC Cincinnati 2 on Sunday night. The match, played at NKU Soccer Stadium, swung back and forth before ending in a dramatic penalty showdown that saw the visitors edge the contest.
The scoring opened in the 20th minute when defender Jason Bori sent a perfect long ball over the midfield. Dennis Gjengaar chased it down and set up Sean Baitinger, whose finish put New York ahead early in the contest.
Eight minutes later, Baitinger laid the ball off to midfielder Benny Rodriguez, who slipped a pass to Christian Gallagher. Gallagher’s strike doubled the lead and gave the Red Bulls a comfortable cushion heading into halftime.
Cincinnati answered after the break. Forward Stefan Chirila converted a penalty to cut the margin in half, and the pressure mounted when defender Aimar Modelo inadvertently turned the ball into his own net in the 80th minute, forcing the game into a shootout.
The shootout unfolded as a nail‑biting affair. Cincinnati ultimately prevailed 5‑4, but the point earned allowed New York to extend its unbeaten streak to three matches. Baitinger’s goal marked his third of the season and his third consecutive game with a finish, while Gjengaar’s assist brought his seventh of the campaign.
Veteran Jason Bori recorded his first career MLS NEXT Pro assist, and Gallagher’s fourth‑of‑the‑season goal moved him into a tie for second on the club’s scoring chart. Rodriguez added his third assist of the season, underscoring the depth of the midfield.
With the result in the books, the Red Bulls II will travel to face Chicago Fire FC II on July 12, looking to keep the momentum alive as they push for a playoff spot.