Cristian Casseres Jr. celebrated his new contract extension in style on Saturday, setting up Florian Valot's opening goal before converting the winner from the penalty spot in the New York Red Bulls' 2-1 victory over Sporting Kansas City in both teams' preseason finale.
Substitute Tom Barlow earned the penalty, which Casseres converted four minutes from full time to help coach Chris Armas' side close their 2020 preparations with a victory.
Gadi Kinda leveled the match for SKC two minutes after Valot opened the scoring. Daniel Salloi received a red card for his challenge on Kyle Duncan in second-half stoppage time.
Red Bulls goalkeeper Ryan Meara left the game early in the second half following a collision, but left the field under his own power, while Aaron Long and Daniel Royer sat out as a precautionary measure. The latter duo are both expected to resume full training next week for their opener on March 1 against FC Cincinnati (1 pm ET | MLS LIVE on ESPN+ in the US and on DAZN in Canada).
Sporting open their regular season next Saturday night at the Vancouver Whitecaps (10:30 pm ET | TSN1, MLS LIVE on ESPN+ in the US)
Goals
- 59' - RBNY - Florian Valot | WATCH
- 61' - SKC - Gadi Kinda
- 86' - RBNY - Cristian Casseres Jr. (PK) | WATCH
Lineups
Sporting Kansas City (4-3-3): Tim Melia - Graham Zusi, Roberto Puncec, Matt Besler, Luis Martins - Ilie, Roger Espinoza, Gadi Kinda - Khiry Shelton, Alan Pulido, Johnny Russell (Daniel Salloi 46', sent off 90'+2')
- NOTE: SKC made 9 substitutions at 76', with only Melia and Salloi remaining on the field. Incoming players included: Gerso, Jaylin Lindsey, Gianluca Busio, and others.
New York Red Bulls (4-4-2):Ryan Meara (David Jensen 55') - Patrick Seagrist, Amro Tarek (Sean Nealis 74'), Tim Parker, Kyle Duncan - Sean Davis, Cristian Cásseres Jr., Kaku (Jared Stroud 78'), Florian Valot (Josh Sims 74') - Brian White (Omir Fernandez 81'), Mathias Jørgensen (Tom Barlow 68')
