A soccer match can be viewed from different perspectives. The match on Saturday evening at BMO Stadium was entertaining, between two outstanding teams that even casual fans would appreciate. However, for the hardcore fan, the desire for victory is insatiable. In the 81st minute, the Red Bulls captain, Emil Forsberg, scored a goal, putting the team ahead after Denis Bouanga had scored a penalty kick to level the match.
But the lead didn’t last. Fans were looking forward to a massive road victory over a quality team like LAFC, but unfortunately, Denis Bouanaga scored the equalizer five minutes into stoppage time, wiping out their hard-fought opportunity to secure all three points. After the game, the Head Coach of the New York Red Bulls, Sandro Schwarz, shared his views with the media:
About the result: “In our own half, in build-up type situations, we had a lot of good moments. With our goalkeepers and with our center backs, to find them the right balance when we were in the right zone of the opponents. Then not to lose the dynamic, and this was the problem sometime in these situations. But, in built up situations there were a lot of very good moments. Then in some situations, we lost the speed, and we could have had more deep runs in some moments. This was the main problem, but also it’s a tough opponent here. So we got one point, it’s okay. It’s unlucky.”
On the two goals scored on set pieces, one by the Red Bulls: “It’s an important aspect of the game. This topic wasn’t only in our training session this week, but every week for the whole season. We were also in very good situations in the second half with Wiki Carmona and his shot after a set piece. It’s good to know that we can score after corners, after free kicks, and we need to know that there is quality and to have this confidence that we can still score in these situations.”
And finally, his thoughts on the season so far: “I’m very satisfied. I’m proud of that. What I see from the whole team, from the whole club, from the staff, the atmosphere. I agree that when we conceded the goal in Orlando in the last moment and today after the second goal which we conceded, we had the situation to score the third goal for our three points. But I’m satisfied, I’m happy with the whole team and the behavior, the mentality, and how we play. Especially in these games. It’s a tough opponent, LAFC and Cincinnati, home game against Miami, all these games. But I have this feeling that I see the quality, that I see the principles, how we want to play, and that’s good. In some moments we have to find the right balance. But yeah, it’s only nine games now.”
Red Bulls midfielder and captain Emil Forsberg shared his views on the match: “Yeah, I mean, difficult place and a good team. Good environment. I think the atmosphere was fantastic. It was fun to play here. I mean, it’s mixed feelings right now. I’m proud of the team. We were one-nil up, we were two-one up and then of course you want to you want to win the game with all kinds of results against this kind of team, but they pushed us hard. I think we defended very well. We didn’t do as much as we can with the ball. We were a little bit sloppy, but in the end, one point against LAFC away.”
On the team’s overall mentality and staying positive after losing the lead late: “Yeah, I mean, we have to stay positive, as I said. We are a fantastic team. I think we’re improving every week. We had a really good training week, we are playing against really good teams. I think we’re getting more and more confident on the ball in the build up. I think we were a little bit sloppy, but I think you could see the first 25-30 minutes we were really dominant. We created some chances and could have scored.
This is kind of where we want to go and we’re going to keep improving. Keep getting better. Keep getting more confident. In some areas, but that’s coming. I had a lot of confidence in the team, and I think we’re, like I said improving every week and I think we can be proud of the development. But we’re not satisfied. We keep on working hard. One point away against LAFC. Yeah, I’m positive.
I think the vibe in the dressing room was a little bit sad. Of course when you are two-one up in the last couple of minutes, you want to you want to get that victory. But in the end, were playing against a very good team. They scored two and we still got that one point. We have to be proud of the mentality. We keep improving. We’re second in the table and we’re not satisfied. We want to do better and that’s the main thing and that’s what I what I love about this team. We’re going to keep improving, keep doing better and keep looking forward.”
When your team manages to secure a point on the road against a formidable team like the Los Angeles Football Club, some fans might view it as a win. However, others might consider it a missed opportunity, especially after noticing that the second goal by Denis Bounaga was a result of a deflection off defender Noah Elie, which also happened in Orlando. They hope this missed chance won’t affect their performance later in the season.
There are generally two types of sports fans: those who are optimistic and tend to see the positive side of things and those who are pessimistic and focus on the negative aspects. With 26 matches still to be played, we can expect to see these two types of fans and their attitudes on full display. As the results continue this season, the outcome will depend on how one perceives and interprets things.