RECAP: Red Bulls Dominate Plodding Nashville

New York Red Bulls controlled nearly all of the team’s home opener against Nashville SC with goals from injury replacement Mohammed Sofo and veteran team captain Emil Forsberg. The win erases the bad taste left in the home team’s mouth after a 1-0 loss in the season opener to FC Cincinnati one week ago. Coupled with one of the more complete performances the club has had in recent member, and Red Bulls will surely see this as a major step forward to start their campaign.

Nashville SC started the game rather slow, moving the ball at a snail’s pace and giving Red Bulls more than enough time to press the action. This led to the game’s opening goal when Sofo found the ball following a missed effort by Eric Maxime Choupo-Moting. The Ghanaian youngster not only scored his first MLS goal but also made his mark after having replaced Lewis Morgan who suffered a pre-game injury.

From there New York continued to apply the pressure, forcing mistakes from Nashville and nearly doubling the lead. Choupo-Moting had his best effort from outside the penalty box fly over the crossbar. Minutes later team captain Forsberg took his chance from the top of the box, converting a curling effort to double the lead.

The only dark spot came just before halftime when a collision between Sam Surridge and Cameron Harper left the Red Bulls midfielder to be carried off the field. The second half saw defender Dylan Nealis come in as a replacement. While his efforts continued the team’s domination, they lost significant sting in their attack despite maintaining their pressure.

More of the same continued in the second half with Red Bulls stifling Nashville’s offense and leaving them frustrated. Substitutes Raheem Edwards, Julian Hall and Felipe Carballo kept pushing the visitors, guaranteeing a win in the home opener.

Next up is a trip on the road for New York as they travel to Mercedes Benz Stadium to play the newly revamped Atlanta United. While it will most certainly be a difficult fixture, this win should provide the confidence needed to carry on with their positive play.

STARTING XI:

New York Red Bulls: Coronel; Harper (46′ D. Nealis), S. Nealis, Hack, Valencias (70′ Edwards), Edelman, Stroud (70′ Carballo), Eile, Sofo (78′ Hall), Choupo-Moting, Forsberg (88′ Carmona)

Nashville SC: Willis; Najar, Meyer (58′ Yazbek), Zimmerman, Maher, Lovitz, Tagseth, Corcoran (58′ Quasem), Muyl (74′ Bunbury), Mukhtar, Surridge

SCORING SUMMARY:
7′ (New York Red Bulls) Mohammed Sofo (1) unassisted
30′ (New York Red Bulls) Emil Forsberg (1) assisted by Omar Valencia

DISCIPLINE:
13′ (New York Red Bulls) Omar Valencia – YELLOW CARD
56′ (New York Red Bulls) Eric Maxime Choupo-Moting – YELLOW CARD
59′ (Nashville SC) Patrick Yazbek – YELLOW CARD
67′ (Nashville SC) Walker Zimmerman – YELLOW CARD
90′ (New York Red Bulls) Noah Eile – YELLOW CARD