HARRISON, N.J. – Red Bull New York pull off a stunning result on early Saturday evening at Sports Illustrated Stadium, 2-0 over Lionel Messi and Inter Miami. The win comes after two consecutive losses that threw New York’s playoff hopes in peril. Now, thanks to an own goal from Carlos Casimiro in the first half, hope has returned to head coach Michael Bradley and Red Bull.
The first half saw New York start strong by pressuring Miami. Their youth and athleticism saw the aging Miami defense constantly on the back-foot. That led to the game’s opening goal in the seventh minute when Cade Cowell passed a ball into the box, hitting Casimiro and deflecting into the net. From there Red Bull didn’t relent but found that ability to finish key chances lacking when it counted most. Striker Julian Hall and winger Jorge Ruvalcaba watched wide open opportunities miss the net.
The second half saw a bit more from Miami as their superstar player Messi joined the game in the 56th minute. His work on the ball gave the visitors a bit more control but the chances were still in New York’s favor. It wasn’t until well into the 80th minute that Miami truly pressured as a shot was saved by goalkeeper Ethan Horvath in the 83rd minute and a follow-up chance rang off the crossbar before being cleared. A 90th minute goal from Emil Forsberg completed the upset and continued the club’s roller-coaster season on inconsistent results.
While much will be made about Red Bull’s in ability to put the game away, their defense produced a strong showing, keeping a deadly Miami team completely off the scoreboard. The win is one that should give the club confidence as they travel for two games this week to New England and Nashville, two more clubs that are much higher up the table.
STARTING XI:
Red Bull New York: Horvath; Nealis, Parker, Bazan, Padelford, Donkor, Mehmeti (85′ Forsberg), Sofo (76′ Kone), Cowell (64′ Harper), Hall (85′ Marshall-Rutty), Ruvalcaba (76′ Choupo-Moting)
Inter Miami CF: St. Clair; Lujan (66′ Fray), Casimiro, Micael, Reguilon, De Paul, Ayala (74′ Bright), Galarza (66′ Morales), Fillipi (56′ Messi), Suarez, Berterame (74′ Segovia)
SCORING SUMMARY:
07′ (Red Bull New York) Carlos Casimiro – Own Goal
90′ (Red Bull New York) Emil Forsberg(4) assisted by Cameron Harper
DISCIPLINE:
80′ (Red Bull New York) Julian Bazan – YELLOW CARD
90′ (Inter Miami CF) Santiago Morales – YELLOW CARD
photo by Matt Kremkau