RECAP: Ten-Man RBNY Survives for Draw with Fire

New York Red Bulls survive more than 50 minutes down a man to grab a point in a goal-less draw against Chicago Fire FC on Saturday at Red Bull Arena. Defender Andres Reyes was sent off for a violent elbow in the 40th minute, depriving the team of a major attacking option for much of the game.

Red Bulls started the game strong in possession and placed the Fire under pressure. Efforts from Lewis Morgan and Noah Eile were thwarted by the Fire but the game turned on its head in the 40th minute. Andres Reyes fouled a Fire player off a corner kick which was reviewed and given a red card by the referee. The decision drastically changed the course of the game with striker Dante Vanzeir having to come off for injured defender Sean Nealis.

To their credit, Red Bulls held strong defensively and continued to push for a game-winning goal throughout the second half. The Fire also created moments but lacked the final touch to upset the first place Red Bulls.

Late in the game, star attacker Lewis Morgan hit both posts with an effort while Frankie Amaya and Elias Manoel also pushed for the winner in stoppage time. The result isn’t one that will make fans happy, however the team did get points in a very tough situation.

The path only gets harder for New York as they travel to BMO Stadium next week to play LAFC. The road game won’t be an easy one as Reyes will be suspended, leaving the club short on defensive options.


STARTING XI:

New York Red Bulls: Coronel; Tolkin, Reyes, Eile, D. Nealis, Carmona, Stroud (80′ Edelman), Amaya, Forsberg (85′ Manoel), Morgan (90′ Duncan), Vanzeir (43′ S. Nealis)

Chicago Fire FC: Brady; Souquet (75′ Dean), Salquist (45′ Pineda), Czichos, Arigoni, Acosta, Herbers, Haile-Selassie (64′ Koutsias), Shaquiri, Mueller (61’Gutierrez), Cuypers (75′ Barlow)

SCORING SUMMARY:


DISCIPLINE:
40′ (New York Red Bulls) Andres Reyes – RED CARD
55′ (Chicago Fire FC) Kellyn Acosta – YELLOW CARD
75′ (Chicago Fire FC) Rafael Czichos – YELLOW CARD