Atlanta United 2 vs New York Red Bulls II - 3/7/2025
Rodrigo Neri (2005, USA/Venezuela) - ST - Atlanta United 2
Right-footed. 6’ 1”, played ST in a 4-2-3-1, contract expires Dec 2025 per Transfermarkt
Neri is a striker with average speed who is willing to go in aggressively and challenge defenders to win 50-50 balls. In the 16’ minute, he flicked on a good header off a set piece that was on target, challenging the keeper. Several times early in the game, Neri showed he was willing to challenge center-backs with his physicality, going shoulder to shoulder to try and win loose balls. Neri put himself in a good position to receive the ball in the box during a transition moment late in the first half, but his first touch let him down as it took him backward away from goal. Neri was subbed in the 76th minute.
Conclusions: Neri has a willingness to attack loose balls and put pressure on defenders, but at times his runs and touches let him down. More screening is needed to assess his play off the ball when his team is in possession.
Actions: Monitor loosely
Braden Dunham (2007, USA) - LB - Atlanta United 2
Left-footed. Played LB in a 4-2-3-1, no information on contract
Dunham generally stayed behind the ball when in possession leaving himself in a better position to make recovery runs and mark attackers coming down his flank. Dunham didn’t have many opportunities in the attacking third, as he generally stayed back, but his one opportunity he demonstrated calmness feinting a challenging defender to advance the ball into more space and then whipping in a cross. Once Atlanta fell behind a goal Dunham changed his role a bit when in possession as he would combine play higher up the field and invert towards the box as an extra target as the team tried to find a way back into the game. Dunham was subbed in the 84th minute.
Conclusions: Dunham is a left-footed fullback who can play multiple rolls when in possession. He can hang back behind the ball and also looks comfortable advancing into a more advanced overlapping and inverting attacking fullback. He also looked capable of playing as an leftsided elbow back, demonstrating a range of positional flexibility.
Actions: Follow actively
Aimar Modelo (2005, Panama) - RM/RWB - NYRB II
Right-footed. Played RWB in a 3-4-2-1, on loan from CA Independiente, contract expires Dec 2025 per Transfermarkt
Modelo liked to charge high up the field when in possession from the RWB position, attempting to swing several crosses towards the top of the box from the middle third of the field to help the team attack quickly and directly. He would make strong runs with above-average speed. He looked composed when under pressure in possession in the defensive third, combining with teammates while trying to build out of the back down the right-hand side. Modelo was subbed in the 73rd minute.
Conclusions: Modelo played as a wingback who was willing to advance very high at times. Need more screening to get a better evaluation of his defensive positioning.
Actions: Monitor loosely
Andy Rojas (2005, Costa Rica) - LW - NYRB II
Right-footed. 5’ 11”, played LW in a 3-4-2-1, on loan from CS Herediano, contract expires Dec 2025 with an option to buy per Transfermarkt
Rojas would drift into the halfspaces out of position into more of a central CAM role, while at times supporting the left flank defensively. Rojas was struggling to get touches as the game was being played down the opposite side early, he was willing to drop deep to get on the ball when in position to try and involve himself in attacking build-up play. Rojas was willing to go in strongly and challenge defenders with the ball as they tried to build up or clear their lines. The left-winger scored a goal early in the second half by receiving a pass and charging forwards into the rightside of the box and then trying to cut back on his left. The possession was not smooth but he stuck with it through the challenges and put a soft lofted shot with his left foot over the keeper and in. Later Rojas had another opportunity to take the ball forward and demonstrated his nifty dribbling ability as he was able to keep the ball tight to his body and carry the ball forward with quickness. Rojas was subbed in the 64th minute.
Conclusions: Rojas is a dynamic attacker capable of playing in multiple areas. He was primarily on the left but also drifted centrally. He demonstrated good dribbling in the limited opportunities he had but more screening is needed for a more accurate assessment of his vision and passing.
Actions: Monitor loosely