RECAP: Red Bulls Win Six Goal Spectacle vs Charlotte
The New York Red Bulls earned three big points to climb up the Eastern Conference table on Saturday night, beating Charlotte FC 4-2.
A scoresheet with Wiktor Bogacz, Mohammed Sofo, and Eric Maxim Chuopo-Moting all hitting the back of the net.
Red Bulls continue to make Sports Illustrated Stadium a fortress and win their second in a row.
First Half
In a month that has seen the Red Bulls play eight games in all competitions, New York had to rotate. Not want to, had to. Wiki Carmona got a start. Polish forward Wiktor Bogacz made his first league start. Players like Cameron Harper, Emil Forsberg, and Choupo-Moting started the game on the bench.
Still, the home side struck first. In the 14th minute, defender Kyle Duncan laid a ball towards Bogacz. Two touches later, the young striker netted his first-ever MLS goal past a stunned Kristijan Kahlina.
The home side kept the momentum but couldn’t sink a shot before Charlotte equalized. Patrick Agyemang found Kerwin Vargas in the 26th minute to make it 1-1. But that only lasted four minutes. In the 29th, a cross into the box by Wikelman Carmona was deflected into the net by Mohammed Sofo. That marked his seventh goal across all competitions.
Second Half
Nothing changed in terms of tactics for either New York or Charlotte to start the second half. The rain was nonstop, and the 11k at the arena suffered through it for the remainder of the game.
The Red Bulls again conceded possession but did have chances. Sofo looked for a brace, getting around a defender but only hitting the side of the net.
Eventually, referee Drew Fischer briefly checked the monitor for a VAR check in the 70th minute. It was determined that Charlotte’s Andrew Privett had fouled in the box, and only five minutes after entering the game, Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting pulled off a panenka down the middle, making it 3-1 to New York.
Right after, Liel Abada’s cross to Wilfried Zaha was too much and was unable to be controlled in front of New York’s net. However, in the 76th minute, a run into the box saw Carlos Coronel stop a shot point-blank. The rebound fell to Abada, who tucked it in the goal to make it a one-goal game again.
Eventually, the Red Bulls started to look shaken and ready to see this game out. They brought on Alexander Hack for defense over Carmona. While Charlotte tried to find that equalizer, nothing was able to materialize.
Red Bulls sealed the win with a second penalty of the game in the 90+5th minute. Substitute Cameron Harper was brought down by Adilson Malanda in the box, with no VAR needed to confirm. The dual-national wanted to take the shot, but the team staff made the call for Chuopo-Moting to step up.
The 36-year-old converted again to make it nine on the season, four of which have been penalty kicks.
What is Next
New York has one more game left in May and is currently tied with its rivals, New York City FC, in the East. Seventh place isn’t a bragging point, but the conference is incredibly competitive at this moment.
It’s a short rest as Atlanta United visits Harrison on Saturday.
PHOTO: New York Red Bulls
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