RECAP: Red Bulls remain winless, draw NYCFC, 0-0

Photo Credit: Matt Kremkau

by Garry Redman

BRONX, NY - After suffering three consecutive losses, one of them at home, the Red Bulls make the short trip over the Hudson River to face their heated rivals, New York City Football Club. With both teams on the outside looking in of the playoffs, only a win would keep their fading hope alive to be a participant in this year's postseason tournament.

The Red Bulls come in as the more desperate team to right the ship but are short handed due to both Troy Lesesne and Sean Nealis serving suspensions with the latter picking up a red card against the Philadelphia Union. Thus, assistant coach Zac Prince has been asked to guide the squad to victory in this pivotal match in the third and final installment of this year's Hudson River Derby.

Red Bull forward Elias Manoel provided the closest scoring opportunity for his team in the 6th minute after taking a pass from Tom Barlow, who headed the ball to him. However Elias' shot drifted wide to his left, leaving him and his teammates befuddled and frustrated.

Manoel had yet another opportunity in the 22nd minute as he found himself in front of the goal after taking a pass from midfielder Frankie Amaya. Only this time his show sailed over the bar and into the home supporters' section drawing some agonizing groans from the small contingent of Red Bull supporters that made the trip from New Jersey.

From there, the two teams essentially spent the first half looking for a chance to break the scoreless deadlock, but even as the match began to open up with chances from both sides, it looked like they were trying to avoid making the mistake that could lead to an goal, given the team's issues on offense.

While NYCFC was being held without a shot on goal, the Red Bulls had multiple chances, most notably forward Elias Manoel with the only two chances for the visitors as the half ended in a scoreless stalemate.

The second half began just like the first, but things began to open up as the pace quickened with NYCFC attacking the Red Bulls, but their defense was keeping the hosts at bay, with their defense keeping the match scoreless.

75th Minute is where the Red Bulls had a opportunity to break the stalemate. Kyle Duncan got ball over to Omir Fernandez, bounced the ball off the ground and was about to head into the back if the net if not for the outstretched hand of NYCFC goalkeeper Matt Freese, who's heroic save kept the match scoreless.

The two teams could not find the net in the waning minutes of the match, as the final whistle blew the Red Bulls survived a knife fight in the Bronx, looking for three points, but only settling for one as they must get points and goals against Austin FC on Wednesday at Red Bull Arena.

Starting XI:

New York City FC: Matt Freese, Tayvon Gray, Thiago Martins, Birk Risa, Braian Cufré, Keaton Parks (Alfredo Morales 37’), James Sands, Andrés Perea, Santiago Rodríguez, Mounsef Bakrar (Talles Magno 92’), Matías Pellegrini (Julián Fernández 66’)

New York Red Bulls: Carlos Coronel, Hassan Ndam (Dylan Nealis 70’), Kyle Duncan, Andres Reyes (Peter Stroud 90’), John Tolkin, Omir Fernandez, Daniel Edelman, Frankie Amaya, Luquinhas (Cameron Harper 70’), Tom Barlow (Cory Burke 91’), Elias Manoel (Dante Vanzeir 77’)

Scoring Summary:
None.

Disciplinary Summary:
42' - New York City FC - Matias Pellegrini - Yellow Card
48' - New York Red Bulls - Tom Barlow - Yellow Card

62' - New York City FC - Alfredo Morales - Yellow Card

67' - New York Red Bulls - Hassan Ndam - Yellow Card

90' - New York City FC - James Sands - Yellow Card

97' - New York Red Bulls - Cameron Harper - Yellow Card