HARRISON, NJ – More than ten days have elapsed since the Red Bulls’ stinging 2-1 defeat at the hands of their bitter local rivals, NYCFC. The Red Bulls return home to face a resurgent Charlotte FC side that has been unbeaten in five matches. With seven of their next five matches at home, picking up points has become a major focal point for head coach Sandro Schwarz and his men.
Coach Schwarz spoke about putting pressure on Charlotte’s stout defense early and often. Just two minutes into the match, the Red Bulls almost did that. Dylan Nealis took a cross from Lewis Morgan, but his header was off target, drifting just to the right of the net.
Charlotte FC nearly responded seven minutes later as Liel Abada started a blistering fast break down the sideline and launched a great pass over to an open Patrick Agyemang, but his shot slammed off the right post, keeping the visitors scoreless as the home supporters breathed a sigh of relief.
After a few stoppages of play to address injury issues, the Red Bulls continued to solve Charlotte FC’s aggressive low-block defense. However, head coach Sandro Schwartz watched in frustration as a key scoring chance was wasted, as John Tolkin and Elias Manoel could not connect in the final third.
Charlotte had issues finding the net themselves when, in the 30th minute, Liel Abada’s pass was wasted when Brandt Bronico’s shot sailed high and wide to his left. A scoreless deadlock became a reality as the match approached the end of the half, with neither team able to break through with a goal.
After a lengthy halftime interrupted by heavy rains and lightning in the NYC Metro Area, the second half finally resumed. And the Red Bulls wasted no time applying the pressure tot he Charlotte FC defense with Elias Manoel winning a freekick, but the visitors were quick to recover, with the match remaining scoreless.
Red Bulls survived a scare in the 60th minute when Andres Reyes attempted to shield his body from Patrick Agyemang, but stumbled at the last minute leaving only him and Carlos Coronel to beat, but Dylan Nealis was able to backtrack to disturb the play as Agyemang pushed his shot wide to his right.
Finally, in the 74th minute, the Red Bulls broke through thanks in part of a free kick delivered in spectacular fashion by Emil Forsberg. Forsberg would double the lead two minutes later after some careless defending by Charlotte, Lewis Morgan took full advantage of their ghastly mistake and pounced, setting up Forsberg for his second goal of the match.
The set pieces would favor the Red Bulls once again in the 83rd minute as the Charlotte FC defense once invulnerable during their five match unbeaten streak crumbled, giving Andres Reyes his first goal of the season, and the hosts had their three-goal cushion.
However, Charlotte would get one for the road six minute into stoppage time, Ben Bender ruining the clean sheet, but the night would belong to the Red Bulls sending everyone, both supporters and their beloved canines home happy.
Starting Lineups:
Charlotte FC: Kristijan Kahlina, Nathan Byrne, Adilson Malanda, Andrew Privett, Joao Pedro, Brandt Bronico, Ashley Westwood, Djibril Diani, Liel Abada (Tyger Smalls 70′), Patrick Agyemang, Kerwin Vargas
New York Red Bulls: Carlos Coronel, John Tolkin, Noah Eile, Andres Reyes, Dylan Nealis, Emil Forsberg (Julian Hall 90+1′), Frankie Amaya, Daniel Edelman, Wiki Carmona (Dennis Gjengaar 66′), Lewis Morgan (Cory Burke 88′), Elias Manoel (Dante Vanzeir 66′)
Scoring Summary:
74′ – New York Red Bulls – Emil Forsberg, unassisted
76′ – New York Red Bulls – Emil Forsberg, assisted by Lewis Morgan
83′ – New York Red Bulls – Andres Reyes, unassisisted
90+6′ – Charlotte FC – Ben Bender, assisted Patrick Agyemang
Disciplinary Summary:
45+7′ – New York Red Bull – Elias Manoel – Yellow Card
45+7 – Charlotte FC – Andrew Privett – Yellow Card
73′ – Charlotte FC – Kerwin Vargas – Yellow Card
80′ – Charlotte FC – Patrick Agymang – Yellow Card
86′ – Charlotte FC – Ashley Westwood – Yellow Card
Final Thoughts: With the loss against NYCFC firmly in their rear view mirror, the Red Bulls look forward to enjoy latest victory, keeping their stellar home record intact until they face Orlando City on Saturday. The win puts the team even on points, staying in the hunt among the elite teams in the Eastern Conferfence.