RECAP: Red Bulls Survive Late Charlotte Push

HARRISON, N.J. – Offense was the main course on Wednesday night as New York Red Bulls survived a late surge from Charlotte FC to win 4-2 on a cold and rainy night. The game-winning effort came from substitute Eric Choupo-Moting who scored his team-leading eighth goal from the penalty spot late in the second half. Mostly a wide open game, Red Bulls were able to put together an effort that keeps their home record strong and hands the club their second win in a row.

New York played a rotated squad to begin the game with Polish forward Wiktor Bogacz making his first MLS start. The usual supsects, Cameron Harper, Emil Forsberg and Choupo-Moting were rested and began the game on the bench. That didn’t stop Sandro Schwarz’s men from grabbing the lead early with a goal in the 14th minute from Bogacz. Wingback Kyle Duncan put a ball in to the feet of the first-time starter who wasted little time in burying it past the Charlotte keeper.

To their credit, Charlotte didn’t back down, returning the favore in the 26th minute when Patrick Agyemang found Kerwin Vargas for the equalizer. In response, Red Bulls continued to push forward and retook the lead thanks to a cross into the box by Wikelman Carmona. The ball was deflected into the net by Mohammed Sofo who scored his fourth goal of his young career.

Both teams approached the second half with the same mindset as they did in the first, pushing for more and knowing that the opposition wouldn’t back down. Charlotte in particular claimed more of the possession as they grew into their attack. That momentum was stifled when substitute Choupo-Moting was brought down at the top of the box, sending him to the spot to convert the game-winner.

Charlotte FC, to their credit, didn’t stop pushing and were able to find their second goal off the foot of Liel Abada. However, their efforts were for not as Red Bulls were able to hold on defensively to win their second in a row and pushing the club up the Eastern Conference.

New York has one more game left in a packed month that has seen the club play a monumental eight games already in all competitions. Head coach Schwarz has utilized every player in order to navigate the squad which now sits in seventh place, tied on points with rivals NYCFC.

Next up is another game at SI Stadium where they’ll host Atlanta United on Saturday evening.

STARTING XI:

New York Red Bulls: Coronel; Duncan, S. Nealis, Eile, Edwards, Edelman, Stroud (87′ Donkor), Gjengaar (64′ Harper), Carmona (77′ Hack), Sofo (87′ Valencia), Bogacz (64′ Choupo-Moting)

Charlotte FC: Khalina; Scardina (83′ Doumbia), Malada, Privett, Marshall-Rutty, Biel, Westwood, Williamson, Vargas (71′ Abada), Agyemang (71′ Smalls)

STARTING XI:
14′ (New York Red Bulls) Wiktor Bogacz (1) assisted by Kyle Duncan
26′ (Charlotte FC) Kerwin Vargas (3) assisted by Patrick Agyemang
29′ (New York Red Bulls) Mohammed Sofo (4) assisted by Wikelman Carmona
70′ (New York Red Bulls) Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting (8) – penalty kick
76′ (Charlotte FC) Liel Abada (5) unassisted
90′ (New York Red Bulls) Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting (9) – penalty kick

DISCIPLINE:
40′ (Charlotte FC) Pep Biel – YELLOW CARD
64′ (Charlotte FC) Wilfried Zaha – YELLOW CARD
68′ (Charlotte FC) Andrew Pivett – YELLOW CARD
82′ (New York Red Bulls) Daniel Edelman – YELLOW CARD
90′ (New York Red Bulls) Ronald Donkor – YELLOW CARD
90′ (Charlotte FC) Adilson Malanda – YELLOW CARD