New York held the majority of possession in the first half (62% to LA’s 38%) but trailed 1-0 when the second 45 minutes began.
Six games into the season and the NY Red Bulls remain the only undefeated team in the MLS. The 1-1 tie to the L.A. Galaxy may have not been the result the Red Bulls wanted, but they will take the one point against the defending MLS Cup champion. Here are the ratings for the Red Bulls players.
Luis Robles – 6.5
The Red Bulls goaltender had a pretty quiet night, registering only 1 save. His timely rush out in the 38th minute was enough to prevent Alan Gordon from adding to the Galaxy’s 1-0 scoreline, despite not making any contact with the ball. There was nothing Robles could have done on the L.A. goal, as his streak of 2 home game clean sheets came to an end.
Chris Duvall – 6
Duvall struggled in the first half defending Jamieson, as the youngster proved to be a real headache for Duvall. Jamieson’s cut back in the 9th minute beat Duvall, and the 18 year old fired a shot to beat Robles at the far post, for the Galaxy’s only goal of the match. The second year player out of Wake Forest had a better second half, but the damage had already been done. On the offensive side of the ball Duvall had a few good incursions in the Galaxy half but didn’t create any dangerous situation for the opposing defense.
Matt Miazga – 7.5
Another solid performance for the Clifton N.J. native. Assertive on the tackle, and dominating in the air, Miazga’s performances are more typical of a 5 year player, than of a 19 year old. Miazga picked up a yellow card in the 29th minute in the only foul he committed all game. The rookie’s 86th minute tackle on a 1-v-1 situation, when the Galaxy threatened the Red Bulls on a counter, earned Miazga another feather on his popularity cap with the New York faithful.
Damien Perrinelle – 7.5
While Alan Gordon is no Robbie Keane, the Galaxy’s top goal scorer kept Perrinelle busy. The Frenchman responded with another solid performance, a performance worthy of a defensive line leader, a role Damien Perrinelle is becoming more, and more comfortable with.
Kemar Lawrence – 7
In the game against San Jose, Lawrence seemed to have clear instructions to keep a close eye on Nyassi, restricting the young Jamaican’s involvement in the Red Bulls’ attack. Those restrictions seemed to haven been lifted for this game, as Lawrence ventured into the Galaxy’s half quite frequently. Kemar’s incursion behind L.A.’s defensive line in the 34th minute could have produced a dangerous opportunity for the Red Bulls, had it not been for a timely interception by a sliding Galaxy defender. Defensively, Kemar didn’t compromise, as he kept the Red Bulls’ left side secure from L.A.’s attacks.
Dax McCarty – 7.5
The Red Bull’s captain, could easily add the word “consistency” after his title. Every time Dax steps on the pitch you can expect the same type of gritty, slick, hard nosed, and finesse performance. Dax was once again the pendulum of this Red Bulls defense with well timed tackles, and quick releases, as well as balancing defensive transitions, and stepping up the pressure.
Midfielder and captain Dax McCarty plays a large role in the team’s ability to transition quickly and efficiently.
Felipe – 7. 5
In his post game presser, Felipe stated he wasn’t sure how he scored the Red Bull’s tying goal. Although that may be accurate, the Brazilian constantly puts himself in a position to make a difference. Whether in a square position for a supporting pass, in between lines for an outlet ball, or checking into a 1-2 combination, Felipe’s work rate was once again key for the Red Bulls, and it’s no surprise he was in the right position to head a ball, that ricocheted off a blocked BWP shot, past Peneda.
Sacha Kljestan – 7
Kljestan continues to adapt to the attacking midfielder role under Jesse Marsch’s system. At times more involved in the team’s mechanisms than others, Sacha is yet to have a dominating performance. Nevertheless, Kljestan is working hard to share some of the creative effort that has been asked of him, BWP and Lloyd Sam. Kljestan’s chip over the defense in the 39th minute to give BWP a good, but tight look on the Galaxy’s goal, is a taste of both what’s expected, and what Sacha is capable of. The combination play between his midfield triangle teammates, Sam and BWP, continues to improve, and when it reaches a level of automatism, perhaps Sacha will reach the dominating and consistent level he is currently missing.
Lloyd Sam – 7.5
The Red Bull’s most productive player, continues to keep opposing defenses on their toes. A 40th minute shot, after a combination with Kljestan, had the fans at Red Bull Arena beginning to sound the word goal, until they realized the shot went agonizingly close into the side netting. The right winger came out of the locker room for the second half more determined to make a difference, and it was his diagonal penetrating dribble that released Sal Zizzo on the left, for the cross that would ultimately find its way into the Galaxy’s net. Sam came off in the 67th minute, a substitution that Marsch explained as a fitness issue, being that Sam had not trained with the team for most of the week, after picking up a knock last weekend.
Sal Zizzo – 6.5
After starting on the bench for the past two games, Zizzo was back in the starting line up against the Galaxy. A decision Marsch explained as simple rotation, considering the heavy schedule this upcoming week. Aside from a run at goal that took advantage of the Galaxy’s gap between their center back and their full back, Zizzo had a pretty quiet game. He did end the game connected to the Red Bull’s goal, as his serve found BWP who had his shot blocked onto Felipe’s head.
Bradley Wright-Phillips – 7.5
Forwards live off of goals, and considering BWP’s output last year, the British forward may very well have an important lifeline in goals. BWP may not be scoring goals, but he is getting chances, and it will only be a matter of time before BWP plugs back into sustenance. An incredible instinctive save by Penedo robbed BWP of his 3rd goal of the season in the 13th minute. He also made the best of a couple looks in tight spaces, and it was his blocked attempt that bounced off of Felipe’s head into goal. BWP had his best chance in the 73rd minute, placing a shot to the keeper’ left, but Penedo, once again, dealt with it the best he could by saving it over the end line.
Mike Grella – 6.5
Grella came in the 67th minute for Lloyd Sam on the right, but found his way to the more familiar left wing after Dane Richards came into the game in the 75th minute. Grella almost became the hero, as he came close to connecting to a Felipe free kick, which would have given the Red Bulls the win.
Dane Richards – 6
Richards came in for Zizzo in the 75th minute, and besides a couple sprints down the line, the Jamaican was more of a refreshing substitution, than a incisive one.
Alfredo Fumacas @talkingtothedoll
