The torrid pursuit for three points finds the Red Bulls heading west to the Rocky Mountains to face a Colorado Rapids side that has won four out of five matches, three at home. While the Red Bulls have been unbeaten in five consecutive matches, only one was a 3-0 victory over Toronto FC at Red Bull Arena.
Head coach Sandro Schwarz praised his team’s effort but lamented on not securing a victory, stressing a “quality performance” after the scoreless draw against the Philadelphia Union last weekend. Meanwhile, Colorado Rapids head coach Chris Armas faced his former team for the second time, looking to finally put one over the team he led before they parted ways after the 2019 season.
Schwartz deployed a 3-4-2-1 formation to spark some offense that has scored seven goals in the last five matches. Ten minutes into the match, Cameron Harper was able to get past the Colorado defense, only to be stopped by goalkeeper Zach Steffens, who made the easy save.
New York defender Andres Reyes came to the rescue a minute later, heading the ball away from an onrushing Rafael Navarro, who was trailing the play.
The Red Bulls had the better chances in the first half while keeping the home side primarily quiet, with goalkeeper Carlos Coronel quickly saving Oliver Larraz’s shot in the 36th minute.
Two minutes into stoppage time, the Red Bulls struck first. After taking a pass from Cameron Harper off the break, Dante Vanzier cut back. He dished a lovely pass over Lewis Morgan, who did not miss, scoring his tenth of the season and second of the career against Colorado, putting the visitors in the lead before the whistle blew, ending the first half.
Colorado nearly equalized in the 57th minute when the ball found the feet of former Red Bull Omir Fernandez in the middle of the box, but his shot went directly to Carlos Coronel, who made the easy save.
But the Rapids were able to get back into the match in the 65th minuteFernandez’s shot slammed off the post. However, the Red Bull defense could not clear the ball, which drifted into the middle of the box, where Sean Nealis knocked it into the back of the net, bringing the match level.
Carlos Coronel provided what might be the save of the night. In the 72nd minute, Cole Bassett’s header was saved off a throw-in at point-blank range as the Colorado midfielder stared into space in frustration.
Red Bulls had one last chance to win the match two minutes into stoppage time, but Wiki Carmona’s header was blocked, sealing the draw, their tenth of the season, keeping them in fourth place of the Eastern Conference table, one point above NYCFC, five behind Columbus.
STARTING XI:
Colorado Rapids: Zack Steffen, Samuel Vines, Andreas Maxso, Lalas Abubakar, Keegan Rosenberry, Oliver Larraz (Darren Yapi 84′), Connor Ronan, Kevin Cabral (Kimani Stewart-Baynes 85′), Cole Bassett, Omir Fernandez (Jonathan Lewis 76′), Rafael Navarro
New York Red Bulls: Carlos Coronel, Andres Reyes, Sean Nealis (Dennis Gjengaar 74′), Noah Eile, Dylan Nealis, Ronald Donkor, Daniel Edelman, Kyle Duncan, Cameron Harper (Wiki Carmona 55′), Lewis Morgan (45+2′)(Cory Burke 84′), Dante Vanzeir (Elias Manoel 84′)
SCORING SUMMARY:
45 (New York Red Bulls) Lewis Morgan, assisted by Dante Vanzier and Cameron Harper
65′ (Colorado Rapids) Own Goal – Charged to Sean Nealis
DISCIPLINE:
70′ – New York Red Bulls – Daniel Edelman – Yellow Card
79′ – New York Red Bulls – Noah Eile – Yellow Card
90+2′ – Colorado Rapids – Jonathan Lewis – Yellow Card
FINAL THOUGHTS:
One would have to wonder if all of these draws are frustrating coach Schwartz, who seemed to be a little irritated at the missed opportunities that his team had toward the end of the match. Nevertheless, while they didn’t win, they didn’t lose, and they are now unbeaten in six straight matches, although they only won one during that stretch. However, Sandro and his team will have very little time to dwell on it, as they now must head home to keep their home unbeaten streak alive against Club De Foot Montreal on Wednesday night.