FC Dallas 0 : 0 NYRB
The Red Bulls traveled to Frisco, Texas to meet FC Dallas, one of the Western Conferences’ best teams, and the MLS’ best attack. In a pretty balanced, and entertaining match, New York was able to impose their style of play in the first half, and come away with a valuable road point, following a solid second half defensive display.
It was the all too familiar starting 11 for Jesse Marsch with one change; Karl Ouimette, who filled in for the suspended Matt Miazga. Coming off an emotional win in the first Hudson Derby, the Red Bulls imposed their high pressure, possession style game early on.
Dallas, despite having the best attack of the league, seemed content to allow the Red Bulls to have possession while trying to exploit the space behind the Red Bulls back line when going forward.
The Red Bulls continued to control the flow of the game but it was Dallas that created the first dangerous opportunity in the 16th minute. A good combination in the midfield between Blas Perez, and Diaz sprung forward Castillo, who saw Kemar Lawrence block his attempt on goal, after the Colombian found himself behind the New York defense.
On the other end, New York continued to have the lion share of the possession, but Dallas remained composed in the back, and allowed very little space for the Red Bulls to penetrate into the final third. When Dallas recovered the ball they looked to get forward quickly, and take advantage of the Red Bulls high defensive block, but the Red Bulls were able to deal with the sporadic Dallas threats.
In the dying minutes of the first half, the Red Bulls had a couple of decent chances but weren’t able to capitalize. Bradley Wright-Phillips saw the ball end up at his feet from a Dallas mistake, but wasn’t able to get the ball in front of him to get a good shot on goal. During first half added time, Sacha Kljestan penetrated Dallas left side, and served Lloyd Sam at the first post, Sam was unable to get all of the ball, and his attempt went wide as the half would come to a close with either team unable to get on the scoreboard.
Oscar Parejo must of not been too happy with his team at the end of the first half, after all, FC Dallas are the league’s top offensive team, playing at home, and yet, were allowing the Red Bulls the initiative of the game, and most of the possession (60/40 for the first half). As a result, Dallas came out for the second half with a more aggressive posture. The Red Bulls had a difficult time holding possession as Dallas pressed high on the pitch, and made it more difficult for the Red Bulls to control the tempo of the game, as well as having time to organize their build up.
The game became more open, as both teams traded play in each others’ final third, and there was a sense that either team could get on the scoreboard. Jesse Marsch made his first substitution in the 58th minute, bringing in Dane Richards for Mike Grella, Oscar Parejo responded a minute later with Barrios coming in for Akindele. While both teams looked for the goal, it was Dallas who looked to have a slight edge, and could have gone up on two occasions, as Barrios saw his close range shot be cleared off the goal line by Felipe’s nifty heel block, and then Castillo with the most blatant opportunity of the night, putting the ball over the bar from 10 yards out.
Jesse Marsch felt he was losing the midfield, and introduced Sean Davis for Lloyd Sam in the 79th minute, moving Richards to the right, and Kljestan to the left while Felipe stepped into the attacking midfield role. The introduction of Davis, balanced out New York’s midfield, and New York was able to retain possession, and make a push in the final 10 minutes, but Dallas’ defense continued to keep the Red Bulls at bay, as the game would finish the way it started, tied up.
The Red Bulls have to be happy with the way the game went for them. They asserted themselves in the first half, and controlled the game against a very good FC Dallas team. Marsch’s men struggled at times in the second half, but the team’s work rate was good enough to come away with a precious road point.
Alfredo Fumacas
Twitter : @talkingtodadoll
