2:3 Charlotte New York Kelly 2 Rafanello Sowe Brummett 07.07.21 · Reserve

New York Red Bulls II rallied from a halftime deficit to take a 3-2 victory against the Charlotte Independence on Wednesday night, spoiling the grand opening for the hosts of the newly-renovated American Legion Memorial Stadium in downtown Charlotte.

The early chances for the visitors paid off in 13th minute as Jeremy Rafanello became the first player to score at renovated Memorial Stadium. A ball forward by Joe Zalinsky to the top of the penalty area was met by a cushioned header by Omar Sowe, which set up Rafanello to control and shoot low into the right corner of the net.

The Independence replied just six minutes later as Dane Kelly lifted a looping finish over the advancing goalkeeper from around 30 yards out that bounced into the vacant net. Kelly notched his second goal of the night four minutes before halftime, as he juggled twice, keeping the ball off the ground, and the unleashed a left-footed finish to the bottom-right corner of the net.

With 20 minutes to go, Red Bulls II pulled level. Sowe powered home a finish into the left corner of the net after a neat pass by Jake LaCava allowed him to continue his run into the penalty area in space to shoot.

With 11 minutes to go, Austin Brummett fired home a finish from close range after a scramble in the Charlotte penalty area that saw Nico Nee denied twice before laying a pass back that Brummett put away.