HARRISON, N.J. – New York Red Bulls needed second half heroics from the team’s leading goal-scorer Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting to get a 2-1 win over Real Salt Lake on Sunday night at SI Stadium. The two goals came in spectacular fashion as New York’s two designated players connected to equalize the game and then late dramatics sent Choupo-Moting to the spot twice in order to secure a win in stoppage time.
New York forced the issue for most of the contest, controlling possession and taking more shots. Despite keeping Real Salt Lake on their heels, it was the visiting team’s counter attack that opened the scoring. Diego Luna split the Red Bulls defense with a pass through the middle of the field, connecting with William Agada. From there, Agada found the foot of Gozo for an easy goal. From there, Salt Lake fell into a shell where they enticed New York to move forward while threatening on the counter attack.
For the most part, New York found themselves on offense for a majority of the game. By the start of the second half, head coach Sandro Schwarz pushed his team to attack, finding the his two designated players to be the spark his team needed. In the 52nd minute, captain Forsberg dribbled into the box, finding Choupo-Moting for his 14th goal of the season.
Real Salt Lake didn’t take the equalizer lightly, shifting the momentum and getting physical. Later in the contest that physicality nearly cost them as Choupo-Moting was brought down in the box, forcing a review where a penalty was awarded. Despite being clinical in the past from the spot, the German international didn’t fool the Real keeper as he easily saved the penalty and kept the game level.
From there the physicality ramped up with both Luna and Kyle Duncan being sent off with red cards. With fewer men on the field, both sides set their aspirations on a win. As stoppage time loomed, even more controversy filled the stadium as Choupo-Moting was taken down in the box forcing a review. At first the play was called dead for being offside but later reversed, sending New York to the line with yet another chance to take the win. The international veteran didn’t miss his second chance as Choupo-Moting put the ball high and into the back of the net to give Red Bulls a much needed win.
The win draws New York even with Chicago Fire FC for 9th place, the last playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. Now Red Bulls shift their focus to Philadelphia as they travel to play the quarterfinals of the US Open Cup on Wednesday.
New York Red Bulls: Marcucci; Duncan, Hack (46′ Parker), S. Nealis, Edwards, Donkor (64′ Stroud), Edelman, Carmona (46′ Hall), Forsberg (90′ D. Nealis), Sofo (71′ Ngoma), Choupo-Moting
Real Salt Lake: Cabral; Caliskan, Glad, Vera, Junqua, Goncalves, Eneli (90′ Russell), Ojeda (64′ Ruiz), Luna, Agada (64′ Cruz), Gozo
SCORING SUMMARY:
3′ (Real Salt Lake) Zavier Gozo (3) assisted by William Agada & Diego Luna
52′ (New York Red Bulls) Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting (14) assisted by Emil Forsberg & Raheem Edwards
90′ (New York Red Bulls) Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting (15) – PK
DISCIPLINE:
14′ (New York Red Bulls) Alexander Hack – YELLOW CARD
58′ (New York Red Bulls) Ronald Donkor – YELLOW CARD
77′ (Real Salt Lake) Zavier Gazo – YELLOW CARD
77′ (New York Red Bulls) Sean Nealis – YELLOW CARD
83′ (Real Salt Lake) Diego Luna – YELLOW CARD
85′ (Real Salt Lake) Diego Luna – RED CARD
90′ (New York Red Bulls) Kyle Duncan – RED CARD
photo by Matt Kremkau