RECAP: FC Dallas Hand Red Bull 3rd Straight Loss, 2-0
Red Bull New York’s struggles continue as the side lost on Saturday, 2-0, to FC Dallas at Sports Illustrated Stadium. A few swaps in the regular lineup did not hamper Dallas, another middling team in Major League Soccer this season.
Defensive miscues allowed the visitors two unanswered goals off transition.
For Dallas, the result snapped a four-game winless streak.
For New York, the result means that since beating FC Cincinnati on April 4, RBNY has only won once in all competitions.
Red Bull head coach Michael Bradley spoke to the media following the match, saying the team is still trying to be something fans can be proud of.
“Look, we are doing everything we possibly can to have a team on the field every week that our fans can be proud of, that they can enjoy watching, and that represents them in a way they connect with,” Bradley said.
“It’s one game at a time — we’re not writing anything off or labeling the season. We’re focused on the next game, getting better, and continuing to push forward. I’m positive that if we do that, we’ll have a lot of good days and good nights.”
Minor Changes to Start vs Dallas
New York entered Saturday with two changes. Tim Parker replaced Robert Voloder as the second centerback, and Juan Mina replaced Jahkeele Marshall-Rutty as right back.
Overall? It was a half of soccer. Both sides did well defensively. Not enough on the offensive side of the ball.
Against NYCFC in the US Open Cup, RBNY conceded corner kicks because the opposition was finding ways to attack. On Saturday, Red Bull had five corner kicks in the first half. None resulted in a shot on goal.
New York had more possession, but FC Dallas was the one about to get five total shots, and three on target. The bemoaning of the backline will be present, but if New York’s attacking presence can’t be threatening, that’s just as much of a concern.
Dallas got their first good look of the night a half hour in. Joaquin Valiente is in the penalty box with the ball, chipping across the penalty area where Ran Binyamin is waiting. Ethan Horvath saved his shot.
That play was because the right side of the backline failed, including Matthew Dos Santos. Ronald Donkor moved to the other side of the field, meaning Binyamin was far more open on the left side.
New York did have chances. Jorge Ruvalcaba started the game with two opportunities. The first was off a Cade Cowell cross he couldn’t bring down, then his shot went wide.
Breakdown Late On
Dallas got on the board about 10 minutes into the second half. A transition saw the ball quickly move from goalkeeper Michael Collodi down the right side, then back to the left, before going back to the right and into the goal.
Binyamin got the ball near the top of the penalty box. He took a few touches to get around Juan Mina. A slot pass through to Petar Musa gave him a tight angle, where he quickly shot past Horvath and off the far post to make it 1-0 in the 54th.
Matthew Dos Santos was nowhere to be seen when the goal hit the back of the net.
An aging Tim Parker was trying to make up space, but he was not going to be able to cover Musa on his own.
“I think they went a little bit more direct. They catch us on a counter in a moment where their numbers outnumber us when we’re sprinting back,” RBNY defender Tim Parker said of the goal.
“They had a couple more guys running forward than we had to deal with, which then leaves (Petar) Musa alone because we have runners coming through and we have to leave him, and obviously he gets a good finish.”
New York tried to change the pace in the 65th, when Jahkeele Marshall-Rutty, Rafael Mosquera & Nehuen Benedetti all joined the match. More strength on the back left instead of Juan Mina, fresh legs to try and replace Emil Forsberg and Cade Cowell.
Mohammed Sofo entered in the 76th. Still, New York could not get a shot on target. Finally, in the 83rd, Michael Bradley subbed on Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting for Julian Hall. Hall was not having a good game, a quiet night with no shots the entire game.
It took 80 plus minutes to bring on the best goal scorer from last year.
It didn’t even matter. In the 88th, Dallas sealed it. Another quick transition allowed Logan Farrington into the penalty box, where Ethan Horvath was off his line. Farrington crossed the ball to Sam Sarver, who headed it in on an empty net.
The reigning MLS NEXT Pro MVP and former FC Motown player scored his first Major League Soccer goal not far from where he used to play amateur soccer in Morristown, New Jersey.
For Red Bull, their struggles are mounting more and more. The players are not consistent; the backline issues are roster issues. The team desperately needs a Justin Che or someone of better quality to lift this line up. The offense can be good. But it’s either A+ or D performances. There’s no in between, and that seems to be boiling down to a lack of quality options.
Next Up
Red Bull does not have a midweek game next week, giving the team a chance to rest and train more.
The next time New York is in action will be on Saturday, May 9, when they visit the Chicago Fire. The team will return home on Wednesday, May 13, to face the Columbus Crew.
It is possible some players, like Cameron Harper or Justin Che, may be ready to return to the first team by the next home match. Harper has been with the reserves in MLS NEXT Pro.
Che’s recovery has been slow, but he seems to be making progress.
Discover more from New York Sports Nation
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
Categorized:Credentials News Red Bulls