New York Red Bulls 4, FC Dallas 0 | 2016 MLS Match Recap

The New York Red Bulls opened up their first winning streak of the 2016 season on Friday, as they defeated FC Dallas 4-0 at Red Bull Arena.

The game started out as a tactical chess match, with New York getting most of the looks but Dallas holding firm. The Red Bulls grabbed their first goal in the 37th minute on a well-worked set piece. Sacha Kljestan sent a free kick to the far post, and Sal Zizzo headed it down back across goal. Lloyd Sam finished the shot to give the hosts the lead.

Then, the dam broke. Kljestan doubled the lead early in the second half, off an audacious play initiated by Sam. The Englishman attempted to catch Dallas goalkeeper Jesse Gonzalez out by attempting a one-timed long chip, but the GK was saved temporarily by the ball bouncing off the crossbar. Kljestan made a run into the box to follow up the shot, however, and blew through Dallas' flatfooted defense to head in the rebound.

Mike Grella iced the result in the 71st minute, as he headed in a bending cross from Felipe to make it 3-0, before Felipe added a tally of his own in the final 10 minutes.

Box Score

• 37’ – NY – Lloyd Sam (Sal Zizzo, Sacha Kljestan)
• 52' – NY – Sacha Kljestan
• 71' -- NY -- Mike Grella (Felipe)
• 83' -- NY -- Felipe (Alex Muyl)
• Full box score
• Stats
• Highlights

Three Things

1. RED BULLS' ATTACK KICKS INTO GEAR The early-season returns make it clear -- when the Red Bulls score more than one goal, they score a lot, and they win. They've scored at least three goals in all three of their wins to date, and with four different players notching goals to go with Bradley Wright-Phillips' breakthrough last week, it looks like New York's attack may have turned a corner.
2. ROTATION WOES? Meanwhile, Oscar Pareja opted for some rotation in his lineup, notably on defense, as Maynor Figueroa slid into the middle alongside Zach Loyd and Gonzalez started for the first time since Dallas' blowout rivalry loss at Houston in March. Unfortunately, the defense did not cover itself in glory, as the Red Bulls beat Dallas to the ball time and again on the night's goals.
3. HEY, IF IT WORKED BEFORE: New York's set piece routine on the first goal was delightful because it was so well-drilled, but it's not even the first time that exact play has worked in a game, as they performed the same routine last season in a game against Orlando City. If it ain't broke, as they say.

Next Up

• NY: Friday, May 6 at Orlando City (7 pm ET, UniMás, MLS Live)
• DAL: Saturday, May 7 at Toronto FC (7:30 pm ET, TSN4 in Canada, MLS Live in US)