Sorga's late goal in stoppage time sinks Red Bulls

(photo by Matt Kremkau)

For the 80th time of their regular-season history, two of the oldest and most intense of rivals clashed at Red Bull Arena, and if history is a guide on how these matches go, then this one wasn't a disappointment.

With 4 key members of the starting IX unavailable due to injuries, and Bill Hamid not making the trip due to "personal reasons", DC United entered the match in bad shape, leaving the Red Bulls with a major opportunity to score some goals. A problem that the team has been experiencing thus far in the 2020 regular season.

The Red Bulls would dominate the first half with the plethora of scoring chances, with forward Tom Barlow leading the way with four of the ten shots on goal. In one such instance, he nearly grabbed the first goal of the match, but his shot was first saved by United goalkeeper Chris Seitz, and the immediate follow-up shot was banged off the post. D.C. United would be held to just two shots on goal as forward Ola Kamara's shot was saved by Red Bulls goalkeeper Ryan Meara.

By the time referee Nima Saghafi blew the whistle to end the half, the Red Bulls were the better team, but there were no goals to show for their efforts.

There was not much to see in the second half, as D.C United got physical with anyone wearing a black jersey. Sitting back, and hitting them on the counter. The plan nearly worked, frustrating the Red Bulls by cutting off passes, and fouling every chance they got, slowing down the game in the usual style by a team coached by Ben Olsen. The Red Bulls had their chances, but every corner kick was denied by D.C. United defenders

The one chance United did get a long ball that found the feet of Ola Kamara on a breakaway, but it would be Sean Nealis who heroically sprinted from one end of the pitch to the other just in time to block his shot from going into the net, keeping the match scoreless at the moment.

Then, off a corner, deep in stoppage time, United Erik Sorga scored the only goal of the match to give United all three points and cementing New York's frustrating evening at home with a bad loss.

FINAL THOUGHTS:

Soccer is a cruel, yet simple game. The Red Bulls dominated the match early, but could not finish their chances. Something that this team has had issues with this season. This was a bad loss, against a bitter enemy at home. No time for them to feel sorry for themselves as Philadelphia Union comes into Red Bull Arena on Sunday.

by Garry Redman

Comments

Red Bulls Announce Fan Experience Improvements

by Garry Redman On top of the theme nights announced this season, something new has been added the next time the season ticket holders and supporters step inside The Cathedral... The state-of-the-art LED lighting system at Red Bull Arena will provide higher on-field light levels for enhanced visibility and safety and introduce new entertainment features that heighten the overall experience for spectators. Built around Musco's Total Light Control—TLC for LED™ technology, the new system is designed to provide exceptional playability and uniformity while minimizing glare. Cleaner, whiter light will elevate the broadcast quality for fans watching around the world. Color-changing fixtures and Show-Light® Pro entertainment technology will allow the Red Bulls to wash the stadium in different colors and synchronize light shows to music, heightening the fan experience during goal celebrations, player introductions, and other big moments. If you have no idea what this means, click here t

Rumor: Dru Yearwood to be Traded to Nashville SC

photo by Matt Kremkau by Anthony J. Merced More trade rumors are circulating as Red Bulls midfielder Dru Yearwood is linked to a move to Nashville SC according to Tom Bogert of the Athletic . What Red Bull will receive for such a trade remains to be seen. However expectations are that the move will be finalized by the end of next week. Yearwood joined New York in 2020 from Brentford in England. Along the way he has made 86 appearances for the club, including 55 starts. In 2021 and 2022 he made 18 starts, scoring three goals and three assists, his total output for the club in Major League Soccer. In 2023 Yearwood found his position in the club to vary greatly. At times he played in a defensive midfield role next to Frankie Amaya and other times higher up the field, almost as a second forward. After the departure of Cristian Casseres Jr. earlier in the year, it appeared as if Yearwood's minutes would increase. However Daniel Edelman stepped into the role, relegating Yearwood to more

Ex-Red Bulls Coach Gerhard Struber Shares Thoughts on MLS and Salzburg

photo by Matt Kremkau by Anthony J. Merced Red Bull News Network had the chance to communicate with former New York Red Bulls head coach Gerhard Struber, now the manager of Red Bull Salzburg in the Austrian Bundesliga. Struber was with New York from the end of the 2020 campaign through to the early part of 2023. Along the way he secured two playoff berths, a seventh and fourth place finish in 2021 and 2022 respectively. While his time was ended abruptly in MLS, his memories of the American version of the game have helped him prepare for such a monumental task in Europe. You spent nearly three seasons in Major League Soccer with the New York Red Bulls, what did you learn from that experience that has made you a different coach at Red Bull Salzburg? Struber: In addition to the sporting aspects, there is a lot that I was able to gain from my work at New York Red Bulls. Any work in a foreign country not only brings you closer to the language, but also to the culture and mentality of the pe

Red Bull News Network

Search This Blog