HARRISON, N.J. – New York Red Bulls and Nashville SC play to a frustrating scoreless draw on Saturday night at Red Bull Arena. The game featured key stars missing for New York, including leading scorer Lewis Morgan and designated player Emil Forsberg.
The first half saw a game where both teams negated each other. Red Bulls did their best to press the situation but found themselves stymied by Nashville’s solid defense. That didn’t keep New York from pressuring and nearly finding the back of the net twice in the later stages of the half. First it was Noah Eile who had a goal called back for goalkeeper interference and then an effort by Dylan Nealis that was chalked off for a handball.
Red Bulls remained frustrated as the half came to a close, with little changing as the second half got underway. Cameron Harper and Elias Manoel pushed forward and created chances but neither were able to find the back of the net. Late chances from Dante Vanzeir added to the frustration as Nashville themselves did little to challenge Ryan Meara in the opposite goal.
The draw is yet another game where both teams play to low-scoring affairs. Earlier this season the two clubs opened their seasons to a scoreless draw and again delivered the same result, this time in New Jersey.
The result keeps Red Bulls in third place as they take to the road midweek to play Montreal before returning to Red Bull Arena in seven days to play Toronto FC. While the team will feel as if they left a result on the field, the draw extends their streak to eight games at home this campaign without a loss. A small consolation for a game that many felt would be a win.
STARTING XI:
New York Red Bulls: Meara; D. Nealis, S. Nealis, Eile, Tolkin, Harper (83′ Gjengaar), Amaya, Edelman, Carmona, Vanzeir, Manoel (73′ Burke)
Nashville SC: Willis; Bauer, Zimmerman, Maher, Lovitz, Yearwood, Davis (65′ Anunga), Muyl, Mukthar, Boyd (79′ Bunbury), Surridge
SCORING SUMMARY:
DISCIPLINE:
31′ (Nashville SC) Josh Bauer – YELLOW CARD
40′ (New York Red Bulls) Noah Eile – YELLOW CARD
55′ (New York Red Bulls) Sandro Schwarz – YELLOW CARD
76′ (New York Red Bulls) Daniel Edelman – YELLOW CARD
photo by Matt Kremkau