This weekend’s match day is one for the books—one we’ve been waiting for since the last time this team was here back in 2008. While some of you will be heading to the Final live and in person, most of us, including me, will be glued to whatever screen to witness history, no matter how large or small.
Our heroes deserve the shine and the credit for making such an appearance. And all of you (some albeit begrudgingly) are taking it all in with pride. For once, this season, it’s good, really good to be a New York Red Bulls supporter.
While all of this is very exciting, to be sure, there’s a small part of me that finds this somewhat… Terrifying.
My reason is that this team’s participation ended in a loss in every final, from the MLS Cup to the U.S. Open Cup. Every critic, now silenced for the moment, is now preparing to pour their endless comments on how this team failed to bring home the trophy they can’t get, yet again, including that dreaded phrase defining this fanbase: “That’s So Metro.”
But this time, it’s different, or at least, I like to hope so.
Call it destiny, call it luck, but don’t dare call this playoff run a fluke, as one so-called commentator referred to it.
This group of players has truly earned the right to be here. And make no mistake; they earned it the hard way, except for one match; every result was on the road, as an underdog, no less, eliminating teams with a collective 1-1-4 record against them during the regular season.
Now, if you’re wondering why I’m somewhat terrified of all this, it’s because I’ve seen this happen all before. As much as I hate to bring this statistic up – this team doesn’t have a good record in these matches.
Yes, we know this team has won three Supporters’ Shields (2013, 2015, 2018). However, they have twice appeared in the U.S. Open Cup finals (2003 and 2017), losing both matches. This is the second time they have appeared in the MLS Cup Final. Their first trip back in 2008 was ironically at the same venue (different name back then), where they lost to the Columbus Crew, 3-1.
They would have to win yet another road match to finally bring home the trophy that has eluded them for so long. One that no team has ever done. On top of that, they would have to beat a team that is arguably the favorite, one that has done this five times in their history, the Los Angeles Galaxy, an original MLS team just like the Red Bulls.
It took the Galaxy a decade to return to the Final, and they did with the stellar offensive firepower that they possess. Gabriel Pec leads the team with 16 goals this season, Dejan Jovelijic is right behind him with 15, and Riqui Puig, who will be sidelined with an ACL injury, bagged 13 goals. Joseph Paintsil is there with them 10. And remember Marco Reus? Although he only has a single goal this season, he brings quality to the pitch, coming off the bench.
As you can see, the New York Red Bulls defense, which has been nothing short of spectacular in this playoff run, will have their hands full containing and neutralizing this massive offensive threat. With all that firepower, it’s little wonder the Galaxy needs any defense. They scored 16 goals during their playoff run, giving up only 3. They allowed 50 goals during the regular season, same as the Red Bulls.
Meanwhile, do you want to know how many goals the New York Red Bulls gave up during their playoff run?
Two. That’s it.
The Red Bulls got to the Final with pure team defense. Steady, cohesive, and organized. Provided three shutouts on the road. Not a easy feat whatsoever. It could have been better, but they got it together just in time.
It’s a good thing because it will take that “all hands on deck” approach to stifle the Galaxy’s attack. Hence, this is the reason I’m terrified but confident that the Red Bulls’ defense will bend but not break. If they can do that and not make the same fatal mistake that Seattle did in the 84th minute against the Galaxy in the Western Conference Final, they will have a slim chance to come away with this by the skin of their teeth.
And THAT, my dear friends, is what has me terrified. The match might come down to that. I genuinely hope I’m wrong. Plain and simple. Our beloved boys in red must be the immovable object to the irresistible force they will face.
I once said that this match was like a kid playing a video game struggling to get to the final opponent to “win” or finish the game. Defeating the “Final Boss” as it were. Do you take it on all at once, to be surely defeated as before, or do you become more strategic, methodical on your approach to accomplish victory? The Red Bulls have struggled this season, surviving the injury bug, losing streaks, but pulling it all together to make it this far. Only one more match to bring it home.
The Red Bulls’ Front Office have purchased tickets to the game so their supporters and season ticket holders can attend. Giving them all the support they will ever need for the match. As I said, this run was one for the books. And they are bringing everyone to witness history.
To those that will be going, all I ask once again is, no matter where you are sitting at Dignity Health Sports Park, please be loud, let the boys hear you, and no matter what, enjoy the experience.
My gut tells me that not only might I be wrong, but this will be the beginning of something special brewing in Harrison.