Dom Dwyer, here going up for a header, scored both Sporting Kansas City goals. Photo Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports.
The Red Bulls limped off the field on Wednesday coming off of a 2-0 defeat at the hands of Sporting Kansas City.
The loss marks New York’s fourth consecutive road defeat. While the defeat is hardly surprising given SKC’s superior home record over the Red Bulls, it is the means in which RBNY lost that is so heartbreaking.
Amidst numerous lineup changes, New York lined-up with two forwards in the 4-2-2-2 marking the first time Gonzalo Veron and Fredrik Gulbrandsen had started together up top. The interesting combination of Sal Zizzo partnering with Aaron Long at center back was perhaps part of the reason New York’s defense faltered throughout the night. While some critics are harshly unfair on Zizzo, the truth is he was played out of position leading to some confusing moments between him and Long. Yet the biggest notable absence from the Red Bull side was their high pressure identity.
Becoming a worrisome trend on the road, the Red Bulls are hesitant to press the opposition when they are on the ball allowing them all the time in the world to maneuver into space. SKC right back Graham Zusi was keen on New York’s pressing deficiency, and ran riot down the Red Bulls flank.
New York enjoyed their most dangerous opportunities in the first half coming through Norwegian forward Fredrik Gulbrandsen. Stripping the ball from the Kansas City defense as they built out of the back, Gulbrandsen took a shot from outside the box which would have connected if not for the heroics of goalkeeper Tim Melia.
While Veron’s impact on the game was minimal, he showcased what he was brought in to do; split the defense. Making a clever run into the box, Veron split two defenders before Ike Opara made a well timed tackle to clear the danger.
New York’s attacking threat would end there.
Coming out of halftime, SKC was quick to make a firm impression on the game through none other than star striker Dom Dwyer. Sloppy attempts to clear a loose ball in New York’s box meant midfielder Benny Feilhaber got a shot off. Although his shot was blocked by Zizzo he could not control the ball in such a tight space, leaving Dwyer with the opportunity for a simple point blank shot to put Kansas City up.
Dwyer would nab his brace 22 minutes later as Feilhaber launched a cross into the Red Bulls’ box, finding an unmarked Dwyer. Doing what he does best, Dwyer curled the ball past Luis Robles to put the game to bed.
Winger Daniel Royer’s missed flick from close range in the dying minutes of the game summarized New York’s struggles for the night.
The Red Bulls will be hoping to buck their road woes when they return to action on Saturday, May 6th traveling to take on the struggling Philadelphia Union. The Union are without a win so far this season and New York will be hoping they can nab three points during their stay in Chester, PA.
Scoring Summary:
46′ SKC: Dom Dwyer
68′ SKC: Dom Dwyer. assisted by Benny Feilhaber
Disciplinary Summary:
30′ SKC: Ike Opara, yellow
51′ SKC: Dom Dwyer, yellow
62′ RBNY: Sean Davis, yellow
76′ RBNY: Connor Lade, yellow
90’+2′ RBNY: Bradley Wright-Phillips, yellow
Starting Lineups:
SKC: Melia, Sinovic, Besler, Opara, Zusi, Feilhaber, Sanchez, Espinoza (90’+1′ Mustivar), Medranda (90’+1′ Salloi), Dwyer (90’+3′ Saad), Fernandes
RBNY: Robles, Lade, Long, Zizzo, Murillo, Felipe, Davis, Etienne (65′ Wright-Phillips), Muyl, Veron (57′ Kljestan), Gulbrandsen (69′ Royer)
