The New York Red Bulls returned to winning ways on Wednesday after a tough loss last week to D.C. United, beating the Chicago Fire 1-0 at Red Bull Arena.
Despite holding distinct playing styles, the teams traded chances for much of the night. New York held the lion's share of the ball, but had difficulty fully breaking down the Fire, while Chicago tried to hit when they could on the counterattack.
The Red Bulls found the breakthrough just before the hour mark, as Lloyd Sam received a backheel pass from Bradley Wright-Phillips and sent a square pass in the box to Mike Grella, who coolly finished the shot to make it 1-0.
Box Score
- 58' – NY – Mike Grella (Lloyd Sam, Bradley Wright-Phillips)
- Full box score
- Stats
- Watch Highlights
Three Things
- ONE SHOT: The Red Bulls had an opportunity to grab three points in between two rivalry games (last week to D.C., this weekend vs. NYCFC). They not only did that, but gutted out a victory against a compact Fire defense. It was not their most aesthetically beautiful performance of the season, but they did what they had to, scoring on their only shot on target and instilling confidence ahead of the big Heineken Rivalry Week clash onSaturday against NYCFC (3 pm ET, FOX).
- DEJA VU FOR CHICAGO: The loss marked the Fire's 30th consecutive league road game without a victory, extending the league record. Even with Sean Johnson getting his first start of the season, the tide didn't turn for Chicago, who will hope a return home will help change their fortunes on Saturday against Houston (5 pm ET, MLS LIVE).
- IRON MAN PUSHES ON: Red Bulls goalkeeper Luis Robles already holds the record for most consecutive full games played in MLS history, a mark he set earlier this season. On Wednesday, he tied Chris Klein for most consecutive MLS games started, at 118. So the record will be his on Saturday if he gets the nod -- something that seems pretty likely.
Next Up
- NY: Saturday, May 21 at New York City (3 pm ET, FOX, TSN2)
- CHI: Saturday, May 21 vs. Houston (5 pm ET, MLS LIVE)
MLS Talking Points: Look who's in first place: NYCFC
New York City FC will head into Saturday's derby against the Red Bulls at Yankee Stadium on a roll. A 1-1 tie at Toronto before more than 30,000 fans moved NYCFC into first place in the Eastern Conference and extended its unbeaten streak to five games, the longest in its short history.
After three straight wins, the draw was still impressive, considering the travel and lineup changes (eight in all) from the 2-1 win at Portland on Sunday. Kwadwo Poku scored his first goal of the season with a curling shot to give NYCFC the lead in the 16th minute, and it held on for the draw after conceding the equalizer on Will Johnson's goal shortly before the end of the first half.
osh Saunders had another great game in goal, robbing Sebastian Giovinco on a breakaway and diving to stop the Italian's free kick in the first half.
"Since the beginning of the season," said NYCFC coach Patrick Vieira, "Josh has made some really important saves during games and we are doing well and he is playing a big part in us winning games and taking points away. His form has been fantastic for us."
Vieirarested Andrea Pirloand didn't put David Villa into the game until late in the second half.
"I think we didn’t play our best game but when you make so many changes," said Vieira, "and I knew that it would be quite difficult because we played against one of the best sides in the league. When we make changes and players don’t play enough it is always difficult."
Two players -- Mehdi Ballouchy and Diego Martinez -- got their first starts of the season, and Patrick Mullins started just his second game. Vieira had praise for Poku, who was starting his third game, and Mullins.
"I was expecting them to work hard," he said, "and I knew that physically it would be difficult for them because they didn’t have the rhythm of the game, because they didn’t play so much during the season, but I was really pleased, especially with Patrick, it wasn’t easy for him and a No. 9 to do what I asked but he put his head up and he worked hard for the team and I was really pleased with his performance."
New York City is 4-3-5 after 12 games. A year ago, it won one of its first 12 games. Mullins said a big difference is the experience NYCFC's players have dealing with the travel.
"It’s something you have to deal with in this league," he said, "and the guys on this team that have been in this league for a while know what it’s about. The guys who were with us last year and it was their first time in the league, I think they are getting used to it."
"Since the beginning of the season," said NYCFC coach Patrick Vieira, "Josh has made some really important saves during games and we are doing well and he is playing a big part in us winning games and taking points away. His form has been fantastic for us."
Vieirarested Andrea Pirloand didn't put David Villa into the game until late in the second half.
"I think we didn’t play our best game but when you make so many changes," said Vieira, "and I knew that it would be quite difficult because we played against one of the best sides in the league. When we make changes and players don’t play enough it is always difficult."
Two players -- Mehdi Ballouchy and Diego Martinez -- got their first starts of the season, and Patrick Mullins started just his second game. Vieira had praise for Poku, who was starting his third game, and Mullins.
"I was expecting them to work hard," he said, "and I knew that physically it would be difficult for them because they didn’t have the rhythm of the game, because they didn’t play so much during the season, but I was really pleased, especially with Patrick, it wasn’t easy for him and a No. 9 to do what I asked but he put his head up and he worked hard for the team and I was really pleased with his performance."
New York City is 4-3-5 after 12 games. A year ago, it won one of its first 12 games. Mullins said a big difference is the experience NYCFC's players have dealing with the travel.
"It’s something you have to deal with in this league," he said, "and the guys on this team that have been in this league for a while know what it’s about. The guys who were with us last year and it was their first time in the league, I think they are getting used to it."
Nenhum comentário:
Postar um comentário