RECAP: Luquinhas Goals Carry Red Bulls to Decision Day Clash

photo by Matt Kremkau

by Anthony J. Merced

HARRISON, N.J. - New York Red Bulls gave their playoff hopes a major boost with a 3-0 win over Toronto FC on Saturday night, moving themselves level on points with DC United for the ninth and final playoff spot heading into the last game of the season. Designated player Luquinhas turned in one of his biggest performances, scoring two goals to give the team the kind of comfortable win they have lacked for much of the campaign.

Toronto proved to have little in the way of bite in the first half as New York pinned them into their own half. Despite the dominate performance, the Red Bulls were unable to take the lead until the 45th minute when the high press paid off. Elias Manoel forced a Toronto defender to turn over the ball in their own box, opening up Tom Barlow for an easy opening goal.

The momentum continued into the second half, when Luquinhas doubled the lead with an effort from distance that beat the Toronto goalkeeper. From there New York continued to pressure the game with Toronto showing little signs of resistance. The third and final goal came when Kyle Duncan dribbled the ball into the box and passed through the defense to find Luquinhas for his second goal of the game.

When the dust settles on the night, New York will be in 10th place, tied on points with DC United who have completed their 34-game schedule. The Red Bulls still have one game left in their season on October 21st against Nashville SC away from home. A win could see them through. However, results from Charlotte and Chicago could still weigh heavy on their chances.

STARTING XI:

New York Red Bulls: Coronel; Duncan, Nealis, Ndam (45' D. Nealis), Tolkin (77' Yearwood), Edelman (69' Stroud), Amaya, Fernandez (69' Harper), Luquinhas, Manoel (84' Burke), Barlow

Toronto FC: Gavran; O'Neill, Bradley (73' Vasquez), Mabika, Osorio, Coello, Ibarra (64' Mailula), Gutierrez (Petretta), Franklin, Owusu (72' Mbongue), Bernadeschi (82' Marshall-Rutty)

SCORING SUMMARY:

45' (New York Red Bulls) Tom Barlow assisted by Elias Manoel

48' (New York Red Bulls) Luquinhas assisted by Elias Manoel

65' (New York Red Bulls) Luquinhas assisted by Kyle Duncan

DISICIPLINE:

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