Youth proved to be the decider for Red Bull New York on Saturday night as 19 year-old Mijahir Jimenez scored twice to lead the club to a 3-2 win over Orlando City at Spirts Illustrated Stadium. The two goals from the Panamanian forward proved just how effective the pipeline from MLS Next Pro to the first division has been for the club, especially in a moment of need as Red Bull were missing both Adri Mehmeti and Jorge Ruvalcaba due to suspension.
New York started the game with an interesting line-up as head coach Michael Bradley chose to go with Jimenez and Hall in the front line. Youth and talent proved to be the winning formula as Jimenez scored his first MLS goal in the 23rd minute. A pass across the box from midfielder Gustav Berggren only required a tap from the youngster to open the scoring. Veteran leadership helped solidify the lead in the 43rd minute when Cade Cowell found captain Emil Forsberg who buried a ball past Maxime Crepeau to double the lead.
Orlando didn’t take the first half lying down. Key substitute Tyrese Spicer played a big role in flipping the narrative and making the game much closer. Braian Ojeda headed a ball back towards the net where Spicer added his own touch to bring the game to within one. From there Orlando pressed hard, controlling most of the possession for the remainder of the game. Still, a moment of brilliance once again from Cowell, opened up the field and found Jimenez in front of goal for New York’s third of the game. Griffin Dorsey quickly fired back to make it 3-2 for Orlando and the defense had to show their worth to hold on to the lead.
Colombian defender Julian Bazan stepped forward to show his skill in keeping the likes of Antoine Greizmann at bay. The combination with Justin Che proved to be an effective one, even though Orlando pushed for the equalizer. That never came as the defense bent but never broke, giving Red Bull their first win since the resumption of play after the World Cup.
The win gives Red Bull some breathing room in the standings. They sit in seventh place in the Eastern Conference, just one point below NYCFC for fifth place and four points from a home playoff spot. The club will have a well-deserved week off before traveling to Atlanta to play at Mercedes Benz Stadium on August 15th.
STARTING XI:
Red Bull New York: Horvath; Nealis (75′ Parker), Che, Bazan, Dos Santos (75′ Marshall-Rutty), Berggren, Donkor, Forsberg (85′ Benedetti), Cowell (85′ Harper), Jimenez (70′ Sofo), Hall
Orlando City SC: Crepeau; Dorsey (72′ Taifi), Brekalo, Jansson, Marin (46′ Rhein), Angulo, Atuesta (61′ Otavio), Souza (46′ Spicer), Ellis (87′ Sarajian), Greizmann
SCORING SUMMARY:
23′ (Red Bull New York) Mijahir Jimenez (1) assisted by Gustav Berggren & Emil Forsberg
43′ (Red Bull New York) Emil Forsberg (2) assisted by Cade Cowell & Justin Che
52′ (Orlando City SC) Tyrese Spicer (4) assisted by Braian Ojeda & Griffin Dorsey
60 (Red Bull New York) Mijahir Jimenez (2) assisted by Cade Cowell & Dylan Nealis
63′ (Orlando City SC) Griffin Dorsey (3) assisted by Antoine Griezmann & Tyrese Spicer
DISCIPLINE:
27′ (Red Bull New York) Dylan Nealis – YELLOW CARD
59′ (Red Bull New York) Justin Che – YELLOW CARD
69′ (Orlando City SC) Ivan Angulo – YELLOW CARD
88′ (Orlando City SC) Harvy Sarajian – YELLOW CARD
90′ (Red Bull New York) Jahkeele Marshall-Rutty – YELLOW CARD
photo from Red Bull New York