Photo Credit : Jakub Deptula
After their biggest loss of the season against Orlando, the New York Red Bulls were back in action this past Saturday against conference opponents Colombus Crew. With their second consecutive Supporter’s Shield on the horizon, the Red Bulls knew they had to get past the Crew, and they did, much to the credit of their defensive playing, and their ability to capitalize on two Columbus giveaways.
With Matt Miazga(red card suspension, US U20 duty), Kemar Lawrence(personal reasons), and head coach Jesse March(red card suspension) unavailable for this match, the NY Red Bulls went to their bench to fill the holes in their defense. Ronald Zubar, who has been fighting injuries all season filled in for Miazga, while Sal Zizzo slotted in at right back, pushing the the versatile Connor Lade to left back.
It did look like it was going to be a long night for the Red Bull defense as the Crew got on the board in the 9th minute of the game courtesy of Justin Meram. The left winger initiated the play still in his own half, dribbled through 3 Red Bull players, found Afful on the right wing who returned the ball back to the Michigan native who was able to get a weak shot off from just inside the penalty mark. Meram benefited from a Damien Perinnelle deflection to beat Luis Robles.
It didn’t take too long for the Red Bulls to respond, as they would equalize 2 minutes later by Lloyd Sam, and would take the lead 9 minutes later by Bradley Wright-Phillips. The Red Bulls high pressure forced the Crew’s defense to give away the ball on both goals. On the equalizer Mike Grella found space to run at goal, and would force Clark to make a kick save that ended up at Sacha Kljestan feet, Kljestan squared the ball to Lloyd Sam who calmly put it into the back of the net. On the go ahead goal, it was Connor Lade who collected a poor clearance and would get in deep crossing the ball to an unopposed BWP, who headed the ball past Clark.
The Red Bulls completed the turn around on the scoreboard, and deserved to finish the half ahead of the Crew, despite the Crew not looking like they were satisfied with the way the half had gone for them. It was a fairly even match in the midfield, but the difference were the two team’s defenses. While the Red Bulls looked solid in the back, despite changing half of their usual line up, the Crew’s defense had handed the Red Bull’s two precious chances which the Red Bulls took advantage of.
The Crew came out determined to get back in the game in the second half, and were the more dominating team in the first 15 minutes, but the Red Bulls would remain solid, and organized defensively neutralizing Kei Kamara, and the crafty Jason Meram. The Red Bulls would begin finding spaces behind the Crew’s midfield, and would soon be knocking on Clark’s door with a couple good chances by BWP, to which Clark did well to save, and then Sam, who after some quick footwork saw the outside of the upright deny him of his second of the game.
Despite the Red Bulls control, the Crew wouldn’t go away quietly, as Higuain would unleash a shot destined for the back of the net to which Luis Robles responded with the save of the night. The Red Bulls would see out the rest of the game, and hold on to first spot in the East. Aside from the ability of the Red Bulls to come back and win this game, Jesse Marsch has to be happy with the contribution of Zizzo and Zubar. Zubar who was brought in to be the leader of the defense, has finally been able to put a good full time performance, and that has to be encouraging news for the Red Bulls in the final stretch of the season.
The Red Bulls know that their job is far from done despite having clinched a playoff spot a couple week’s back. With the win against the Crew, the Red Bulls are in the driver’s seat in the Supporter’s Shield race, and will now face the Montreal Impact on Wednesday. Montreal is fighting to grab the last playoff berth in the Eastern Conference, and will be a tough challenge for the Red Bulls, not to mention another demanding test for the Red Bulls defense, as they will have to contend with Didier Drogba.
