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| photo by Matt Kremkau |
by Garry Redman
HARRISON, NJ - After capturing four out of six points on the road, Sandro Schwartz and his crew return to Red Bull Arena for their home opener against FC Dallas. Depste, beset with injuries to some of its key players, was looking to bounce back after a rough loss against CF Montréal last weekend.
From the opening whistle, it was evident that both sides were eager to assert their dominance on the pitch. The slick surface only added to the intensity of the contest as players battled fiercely for possession in the midfield. However, it was the New York Red Bulls who struck first blood, courtesy of a moment of brilliance from Emil Forsberg.
In the 30th minute, Forsberg etched his name into the annals of New York Red Bulls history by calmly slotting home a penalty kick, sending the home crowd into raptures. The Swedish maestro's composed finish gave the Red Bulls a well-deserved lead, providing the perfect tonic for the faithful supporters braving the elements.
As the rain continued to pour down, both teams refused to relent in their pursuit of victory. However, the Red Bulls seized the initiative again in the second half, as they doubled their advantage in the 54th minute. In showcasing his predatory instincts, Lewis Morgan latched onto a precise through ball from Emil Forsberg before coolly dispatching his effort past the despairing FC Dallas goalkeeper.
With a two-goal cushion, it seemed as though the Red Bulls were cruising towards a comfortable victory. However, FC Dallas had other ideas and mounted a spirited fightback. In the 59th minute, their efforts bore fruit as Jesús Ferreira stepped up to take a free-kick on the edge of the penalty area. With pinpoint accuracy, Ferreira unleashed a thunderous strike that left New York goalkeeper Carlos Coronel rooted to the spot, halving the deficit and injecting a sense of urgency into the proceedings.
Buoyed by their newfound momentum, FC Dallas threw everything they had at the Red Bulls for an equalizer. However, the New York defense held firm, marshaled expertly by the imperious Coronel between the sticks. Despite a flurry of late chances for both sides, the scoreline remained unchanged, much to the relief of the home faithful.
As the final whistle blew, signaling the end of a pulsating encounter, the New York Red Bulls emerged victorious in their home opener at Red Bull Arena. With Emil Forsberg and Lewis Morgan showcasing their attacking prowess and Carlos Coronel standing tall in defense, the Red Bulls laid down a marker for the season ahead. While FC Dallas may have fallen short on the night, their spirited display was a testament to their resilience and determination.
As the rain-soaked fans departed the stadium, they did so with optimism for the future, knowing they had witnessed a memorable victory that would live long in the memory.
SCORING SUMMARY:
30' - New York Red Bulls - Emil Forsberg - Converted Penalty
54' - New York Red Bulls - Lewis Morgan, assisted by Emil Forsberg
59' - FC Dallas - Jesus Ferreira, unassisted
DISCIPLINARY SUMMARY:
15' - FC Dallas - Liam Fraser - Yellow Card
34' - FC Dallas - Sebastian Llget - Yellow Card
58' - New York Red Bulls - Kyle Duncan - Yellow Card
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