HARRISON, N.J. – Red Bull New York returned home after their disappointing 2-1 loss to once again lose, this time to league leaders Nashille SC on a stoppage time goal. While the scoreline may frustrate fans, Michael Bradley’s men showed their ability to push one of the best clubs in MLS and come close to winning had they sharpened their finishing skills. Still, the club will leave with nothing to show for their efforts as they continue to tumble down the playoff standings.
Red Bull were able to control the first half with speed and passing down the wings. Nashville looked sluggish but were able to show their danger on the counter attack. One effort saw their top striker, Sam Surridge, put the ball in the back of the net but was called offside. Both Julian Hall and Emil Forsberg also had chances to open the scoring with one missing and the other forcing an impressive save from the Nashville keeper.
Much of the same continued in the second half as New York pushed the pace while Nashville waited for their moments. Another one came into the second half that was called off by offside. The game continued with substitutes Mijahir Jimenez coming on but showing little in the way of effecting the game. The game-winner came in stoppage time when Maxwell Woldezi headed a cross from Christian Espinoza to send the fans and the team home empty handed.
The loss is their fourth since returning from the World Cup break, dropping their playoff hopes to eighth and looking for help from those lower in the standings. The mission won’t get easier as they welcome the Chicago Fire into Sports Illustrated Stadium on Saturday night.
STARTING XI:
Red Bull New York: Horvath; Nealis (80′ Marshall-Rutty), Che (88′ Parker), Bazan, Dos Santos, Donkor, Mehmeti, Forsberg (61′ Sofo), Cowell (61′ Jimenez), Hall, Ruvalcaba
Nashville SC: Schwake; Baker-Whiting (86′ Bauer), Maher, Woldezi, Lovitz (61′ Najar), Corcoran (70′ Yazbek), Tagseth, Saad (70′ Qasem), Mohammed (62′ Espinoza), Surridge, Mukhtar
SCORING SUMMARY:
90′ (Nashville SC) Maxwell Woldezi (1) assisted by Christian Espinoza
DISCIPLINE:
12′ (Nashville SC) Daniel Lovitz – YELLOW CARD
58′ (Nashville SC) Matthew Corcoran – YELLOW CARD
90′ (Red Bull New York) Julian Bazan – YELLOW CARD
photo from Matt Kremkau