A hat trick from Lewis Morgan, and a record four-assists from Dante Vanzeir, helped the New York Red Bulls to a dominant 4-0 win over Inter Miami at at rain-soaked Red Bull Arena on Saturday afternoon. Rebounding from last week’s loss the Columbus Crew saw the Red Bulls take advantage of costly Miami mistakes, all without star players Emil Forsberg, Carlos Coronel and Noah Eile.
Miami came to Red Bull Arena without superstar Lionel Messi. Still, the team came loaded with fire power as Luis Suarez, Leo Campana and Robert Taylor made the starting XI. By contrast, the Red Bulls fielded a team without the playmaking abilities of captain Forsberg. Still, the scoring started early as Vanzeir connected with Morgan for the game’s opening goal in the third minute.
The conditions made it difficult for the remainder of the first half as both teams tried their best to pass through a water-logged pitch. It didn’t stop players like Suarez from getting into dangerous positions but the Red Bulls defense stood up to the test. Entering halftime, it appeared as if the team had the right formula to solidify a win.
New York emerged for the second half with vigor while Miami collapsed under spotty decision making. A giveaway led to another counter opportunity that Vanzeir used to find Morgan for a brace in the 51st minute. More hustle in the 66th minute extended the lead to three when Morgan raced into the box, leaving the ball for Vanzeir who the dropped it off for Wiki Carmona. To add the final blow, Morgan converted from a Vanzeir pass in the box to make it 4-0.
The hat trick made Morgan the leading goalscorer on the team with five. Vanzeir also made history being the first Red Bull player with four assists in a single game and only the seventh player over all to accomplish that feat in Major League Soccer history.
The win gives New York 10 points on the year and moves them into a four way tie with Miami, Columbus and Cincinnati for first place in the Eastern Conference. Next the team goes on the road to play Orlando City in hopes of keeping their momentum going.
STARTING XI:
New York Red Bulls: Meara; D. Nealis, S. Nealis, Reyes, Duncan, Gjengaar (69′ Harper), Amaya, Stroud (87′ Donkor), Carmona (78′ Ngoma), Morgan (87′ Mitchell), Vanzeir (79′ Hall)
Inter Miami: dos Santos; Aviles (74′ Sailor), Kryvstov, Allen, Taylor (59′ Afonso), Gressel (75′ Casas de Abadal), Busquets, Sunderland (59′ Bright), Alba, Campana, Suarez
SCORING SUMMARY:
3′ (New York Red Bulls) Lewis Morgan (3) assisted by Dante Vanzeir
51′ (New York Red Bulls) Lewis Morgan (4) assisted by Dante Vanzeir
66′ (New York Red Bulls) Wiki Carmona (1) assisted by Dante Vanzeir
70′ (New York Red Bulls) Lewis Morgan (5) assisted by Dante Vanzeir
DISCIPLINE:
11′ (Inter Miami CF) Sergii Kryvstov – YELLOW CARD
25′ (Inter Miami CF) Luis Suarez – YELLOW CARD
84′ (Inter Miami CF) Noah Allen – YELLOW CARD
photo by Matt Kremkau