Red Bulls capture first Development Academy title

• by Paul Kennedy  @pkedit, Jul 24, 2012

[FINALS WEEK] The New York Red Bulls, unbeaten since mid-May, defeated St. Louis Scott Gallagher Missouri, 1-0, on Monday in the Development Academy U-15/16 championship game at Houston's BBVA Compass Stadium. Alex Muyl, one of seven Red Bulls players who have spent time in the U.S. U-17 Residency Program, scored the lone goal in the 16th minute for New York, which held on the rest of the way for its first academy crown.

The Bulls wrapped up the season with a 12-game unbeaten streak and 10-0-2 record during that stretch.

"That was a battle. It was hard out there," said Muyl, who finished with a team-high 17 goals in 28 games. "They were a good side, but this shows the resilience that we have. We've been through so many ups and downs this season, so many good days and bad days. We've struggled through it to where we are now. This just shows the resilience of this team."

Goalie Evan Louro, one of five Red Bulls who spent the spring in residency with the U-17s, had a game-high four saves and posted his third straight shutout.

This year marked the first time two MLS-affiliated teams captured championships. FC Dallas earned the U-17/18 championship on Sunday with a come-from-behind 3-2 victory against Vancouver Whitecaps FC.

July 23 in Houston
New York Red Bulls 1 St. Louis Scott Gallagher Missouri 0. Goal: Muyl (Adam Najem) 16th minute
New York -- Louro; Tetro, Miazga, Politz, Kapitula (Boschen, 72); Echevarria, Basuljevic, Najem (Brunetti , 80); Muyl (Lema, 61), Moreno (Swenson, 67), Tandir (Wade, 51).
SLSG -- Leeker; Ledbetter,  Klipsch, Graham, Pesek; Schillingsford (Gonzalez, 61), McHugh, Panchot; Segbers, Jones (Steurer, 70), Barlow.
Referee: Kyle Phillips
Att.: 200