Two late goals from Emil Forsberg and Denis Bouanga force New York Red Bulls and LAFC to split points at BMO Stadium on Saturday night with a 2-2 draw. The dramatic game saw shifts in play, injuries, own-goals and late heroics.
New York started the game strong, forcing LAFC into early mistakes. Their counter attack led to panic defending which forced defender Aaron Long out of the game in the eighth minute. After a slide tackle to save a goal-scoring opportunity, Long’s leg struck the post, injuring him and ending his night early. The ensuing corner kick struck the head of substitute Eddie Segura to give Red Bulls the opening goal.
Both teams pushed back-and-forth with LA finding their moments but underdelivering on their attempts at goal. Red Bulls absorbed the pressure both at the end of first half and early on in the second half as well. LAFC continued to force the topic and here able to find their moment in the 65th minute. A foul by Sean Nealis on Denis Bouanga, sent the forward to the spot for the equalizer. He converted the opportunity to send the LA crowd into a frenzy.
LAFC continued to push from there with Red Bulls nearly surrendering the go-ahead goal just minutes later. Afterwards, head coach Sandro Schwarz calmed his men down and they returned to their typcial tactics and forcing LA into midfield mistakes. Eventually, Forsberg found the go-ahead in the 81st minute when he buried the deflected corner kick for what New York thought was the game-winner. Minutes into stoppage time, a clearance by Kyle Duncan fell to the foot of Bouanga who equalized the game with a right-footed effort.
It is an impressive showing from the Red Bulls, who remain in second place but now two points back of Inter Miami. All of this while missing key players such as Peter Stroud and Andres Reyes. The game also showed that Red Bulls will be a tough road team this season and will require more thought to break down what has proven to be a formidable defense.
STARTING XI:
New York Red Bulls: Coronel; D. Nealis, S. Nealis, Eile, Tolkin, Carmona (79′ Gjengaar), Edelman, Amaya, Forsberg (88′ Duncan), Morgan (90′ Harper), Vanzeir (79′ Manoel)
LAFC: Lloris; Palencia, Chanot, Long (8′ Segura)(89′ Campos), Hollingshead, Tillman, Sanchez, Bogusz, Olivera (89′ Muller), Kamara (70′ Ordaz), Bouanga
SCORING SUMMARY:
8′ (New York Red Bulls) Eddie Segura (1) – Own Goal
67′ (LAFC) Denis Bouanga (4) – Penalty Kick
81′ (New York Red Bulls) Emil Forsberg (2) assisted by Sean Nealis and John Tolkin
90′ (LAFC) Noah Eile (2) – Own Goal
DISCIPLINE:
28′ (New York Red Bulls) Noah Eile – YELLOW CARD
85′ (New York Red Bulls) Frankie Amaya – YELLOW CARD
photo by Matt Kremkau