HARRISON, NJ – After missing out on a great opportunity last week in Los Angeles, the team has another chance to prove themselves against the Vancouver Whitecaps at Red Bull Arena. Facing them is the former Red Bulls striker Brian White, returning to his old stomping grounds, aiming to add to his impressive season and help his team maintain their unbeaten record away from home.
In the 15th minute, Brian White put the visitors ahead with relative ease after losing Wiki Carmona, who was defending him. He took a terrific pass from Ryano Raposo, and it found White, who slammed it in the net from a yard out.
Brian White nearly added another goal in the 30th minute, but this time, Carlos Coronel closed the distance between the two and stopped the shot, keeping the Red Bulls in the match.
Red Bulls then had a chance in the 44th minute as Lewis Morgan got the ball from a fortuitous bounce and streaked toward the goal. However, instead of shooting the ball, he carelessly turned it over, drawing loud groans from the home supporters and venting their frustration. And, as the whistle sounded, ending a dismal first half for the hosts, head coach Sandro Schwarz angrily darted into the locker room, visibly disappointed in his team’s woeful performance.
Whatever head coach Sandro Schwarz spoke about in the locker room during halftime worked. In the 56th minute, following a corner kick, the ball bounced off Sean Nealis’ leg, but Lewis Morgan was in front of the net to tap home the equalizer.
But things turned strangely in the 75th minute. Noah Eile received a red card after the ball bounced up toward him. He reached up and slapped at it for no apparent reason, and the referee immediately sent him off, forcing the team to play with ten men for the second straight match.
Both teams tried to win the match but could not find a goal. When the final whistle was blown, the Red Bulls felt frustrated and empty, allowing yet another chance to win one in front of the home supporters despite remaining unbeaten at home this season.
New York Red Bulls: Carlos Coronel, Noah Eile, Dylan Nealis, Sean Nealis, John Tolkin (Kyle Duncan 79’), Lewis Morgan, Emil Forsberg (Cory Burke 90’ +1’), Wiki Carmona (Frankie Amaya 67’), Daniel Edelman, Dennis Gjengaar (Cameron Harper 67’), Dante Vanzeir (Elias Manoel 67’)
Vancouver Whitecaps FC: Yohei Takaoka, Mathias Laborda (Fafa Picault 79’), Ranko Veselinovic, Tristan Blackmon, Ryan Raposo (Ralph Priso 61’), Sebastian Berhalter (Damir Kreilach 87’), Ali Ahmed, Pedro Vite, Sam Adekugbe (Javain Brown 61’), Brian White, Ryan Gauld
Scoring Summary:
15′ – Vancouver Vancouver FC – Brian White, assisted by Ryan Raposo
56′ – New York Red Bulls – Lewis Morgan, assisted by Sean Nealis
Disciplinary Summary:
22′ – Vancouver Whitecaps FC – Sam Adekugbe – Yellow Card
34′ – New York Red Bulls – Dante Vanzeir – Yellow Card
42′ – New York Red Bulls – Wiki Carmona – Yellow Card
45+3′ – Vancouver Whitecaps FC – Ryan Raposo – Yellow Card
58′ – New York Red Bulls – Daniel Edelman – Yellow Card
72′ – Vancouver Whitecaps FC – Mathias Laborda – Yellow Card
75′ – New York Red Bulls – Noah Elie – Red Card
90+1′ – New York Red Bulls – Dylan Nealis – Yellow Card
Final Thoughts:
Three points in three games. Most fans will exhibit optimistic viewpoints, especially after getting such a result on the road against a quality team like Los Angeles Football Club. But others will see it differently after tonight’s result. Good teams find a way to win regardless of the venue. And right now, the Red Bulls are stumbling at the wrong time. Next week will be an even stiffer test as they travel to Florida to face a resurgent Inter Miami CF team looking to exact some revenge after getting pounded 4-1 nearly three weeks ago. A test they must be able to pass if they want to stay within the top spot of the Eastern Conference.