Huntsville City FC electrified the home crowd at Wicks Family Field on August 17, 2024, with a heart-pounding 3-2 victory over New York Red Bulls II. The Boys in Blue extended their unbeaten streak to three matches, thanks to a sensational brace by team captain Jony Bolaños, along with a vital contribution from Woobens Pacius.
Early Control: Bolaños and Pacius DominateThe match kicked off with Huntsville seizing control right from the first whistle. In the 9th minute, Huntsville’s attacking pressure paid off as Pacius cleverly threaded a pass through the defense, finding Bolaños in a pocket of space. With ice-cold composure, Bolaños slotted the ball into the far corner, registering his sixth goal of the season and putting Huntsville in the driver’s seat.
But the Boys in Blue weren’t done yet. Just over 20 minutes later, Axel Picazo showcased his agility, weaving past defenders before sending a dangerous cross into the box. Pacius, who had been lurking near the goal, calmly finished the play with his third goal of the season. The scoreline read 2-0, and Huntsville looked to be cruising.
A Battle of Resilience: Red Bulls II Strike BackThe visitors, however, were not willing to back down without a fight. New York Red Bulls II emerged from halftime with renewed determination, and in the 49th minute, they found a breakthrough. Julian Hall connected with an inch-perfect ball from Omar Valencia, pulling one back for the Red Bulls and cutting the lead to 2-1.
Bolaños Seals the DealIn the face of mounting pressure, Huntsville turned once again to their talismanic captain. In the 66th minute, a long ball from Ollie Wright sailed over the Red Bulls’ defense and found Bolaños on the run. With a deft touch and a cool finish to the far post, Bolaños netted his seventh goal of the season, giving Huntsville the breathing room they desperately needed. The brace not only secured the lead but reaffirmed Bolaños' status as the club's top goal scorer.
Late Drama: Huntsville Holds OnJust when it seemed Huntsville was in complete control, the match took a tense turn. Joel Sangwa was sent off in the 80th minute following a red card incident, leaving Huntsville to defend their lead with only ten men. Sensing an opportunity, New York capitalized on the man advantage, with Rafael Mosquera cutting the deficit to 3-2 in the 89th minute.
With the clock ticking down, Huntsville’s defense remained resilient, repelling New York's final attempts and holding firm to secure a crucial win.
What’s Next?The Boys in Blue now turn their attention to a road clash against Toronto FC II on August 25. Fans can catch the action live at 2 p.m. CT on MLS Season Pass via AppleTV. For supporters in Huntsville, the club’s official watch party will be held at St. Stephens Music Hall.
Match Highlights:
Jony Bolaños: Team captain and undisputed leader, scoring his sixth and seventh goals of the season, marking his second multi-goal game of the year.
Woobens Pacius: Not only did he grab his third goal of the season, but he also added his first assist, making him a key playmaker in the win.
Joey Akpunonu: The new addition made his debut for Huntsville City FC, while Julian Gaines returned to the lineup after a lengthy absence.
Key Stats and Milestones:
Huntsville remains unbeaten in its last three games.
The team has opened the scoring in each of its past three matches.
Bolaños has now captained the team for 16 consecutive matches and remains the heart of the squad's offensive firepower.
Box Score:
Final Score: Huntsville City FC 3, New York Red Bulls II 2
Goals:
HCFC: Jony Bolaños (A: Woobens Pacius) 9’
HCFC: Woobens Pacius (A: Axel Picazo) 32’
NYRB II: Julian Hall (A: Omar Valencia) 49’
HCFC: Jony Bolaños (A: Ollie Wright) 66’
NYRB II: Rafael Mosquera (A: Ibrahim Kasule) 89’
Attendance: 4,170
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