RECAP: Fabio's Late Goal Saves Playoff Push

photo by Matt Kremkau

HARRISON, NJ - In a match that both teams needed to win to keep their playoff hopes alive, Fabio's dramatic goal one minute into stoppage time gave the Red Bulls a much-needed win over C.F Montreal, 1-0, pushing them over the playoff line albeit temporarily, and keeping their very slim playoff chance alive in the process.

While New York was being frustrated on one end of the pitch, Montreal was creating chances. One such scoring chance happened in the 39th minute, as Joel Waterman got by Kyle Duncan and delivered a great pass over to wide-open Emanuel Maciel, but the shot was just a little too high and over the net. 

The second half began with the same disjointed, dispirited energy that frustrated the home supporters in the first. But in the 65th minute, Klimala, with the ball, spotted Montreal goalkeeper Sebastian Breze off his line, but instead of dribbling the ball even further, he took a shot that drifted harmlessly wide to his left, much to the dismay to his coach and the home supporters.

Caden Clark came in for Tom Edwards 67th minute to make some impact in the match. And he did just that one minute later, giving the Red Bulls perhaps the closest opportunity they had to score a goal when he won the ball from midfield and got it over to Cristian Casseres, and his shot ringed off the post as the fans in attendance groaned in disgust and exasperation.

New York had their chances down the stretch, but every pass that needed to be connected didn't. Two weeks ago, during their eight-match unbeaten streak, they looked like the team that had all the answers, tonight, none were forthcoming. 

Just when things were looking bleak for the home side, the goal they desperately needed came in the first minute of stoppage time as Patryk Klimala darted down the sideline and floated the ball over to Caden Clark who then headed the ball over to Fabio. Fabio then headed the ball off the crossbar, away from the outstretched hands of Brezza for sixth goal of the season, sending coach Struber and his staff down the sideline to join in the celebration.

He and his staff would receive yellow cards and probably a fine from the league for leaving his technical area, not that he would care in the slightest.

The job was not done as New York needed to defend a last-minute corner kick, but when referee Chris Penso blew the whistle, the supporters blew a huge sigh of relief. With three important points in the bag, the attention is focused on Atlanta United on Wednesday night.

Starting XI:

New York Red Bulls: Carlos Coronel, Andrew Gutman, Sean Nealis, Andrés Reyes, Tom Edwards (Caden Clark, 67’), Kyle Duncan, Sean Davis, Dru Yearwood (Youba Diarra, 87’), Cristian Cásseres, Jr. (Frankie Amaya, 83’), Wiki Carmona (Fábio, HT), Patryk Klimala

C.F. Montreal: Sebastian Breza, Kamal Miller, Rudy Camacho, Zachary Brault-Guillard (Zorhan Bassong, 81’), Joel Waterman (Ahmed Hamdi, 90’+3), Samuel Piette, Djordje Mihailovic, Joaquin Torres, Emanuel Maciel (Bjorn Johnsen, 90’+3), Mathieu Choiniere, Sunusi Ibrahim (Lassi Lappalainen, 72’)

Scoring Summary:

90+1' (New York Red Bulls) Fabio assisted by Caden Clark and Patryk Klimala

Disciplinary Summary:

81' (New York Red Bulls) Andres Reyes - Yellow card