The Red Bulls traveled to Columbus to play their 6th game in 18 days. In a hot Midwest night, Jesse Marsch’s men did all they could to finish their run on a high note, but in the end they would run out of gas and leave the 3 points at Mapfre Stadium, as the Crew came back from a 0-1 deficit to win the game by 2-1.
Jesse Marsch made 4 changes from the team that played against the NY Cosmos midweek. Kemar Lawrence was back at left full back, Felipe replaced Dax McCarty, who was given the night off, Mike Grella replaced Lloyd Sam on the right side of the attack, and Bradley Wright-Phillips was on the left of the attack for Sal Zizzo.
A good start by New York, finding space on the wings, and bringing danger to the Columbus defensive early. A good combination between Wright-Phillips and Abang would give the 18 year old his third goal of the season in the 8th minute. A well placed through ball by BWP, and a pinpoint finish from the Nigerian youngster with a low shot to the far post gave the Red Bulls the lead.
It was a dream start for the Red Bulls, but their early dominance would soon be balanced out by Columbus. The Red Bulls started to lose the midfield, and Columbus’ emergence was becoming more evident. The Crew’s control of play would reap its benefits in the 33rd minute when Kamara put through Finlay for the equalizer. Damien Perrinelle was caught in no man’s land as he was outnumbered by Kamara and Finlay, Kamara’s head skip was enough to put Finlay behind the Red Bulls defense, and Perrinelle on his back foot. Finlay cut the ball past Perrinelle and hit a placed shot to Robles far post.
The momentum had shifted in the Crew’s favor, and New York finished the half on the opposite side of what they had done in the past two games – controlling, and with momentum. Playing their 6th game in 18 days, Jesse Marsch knew tiredness could be a factor for the Red Bulls, and surely his message at half time had to be for his team to keep their shape, go forward when possible, but not expose the back 4.
Columbus came out for the second half with every intention to give continuity to their game play control, and to get the equalizer. Marsch, sensing the push by Columbus, made his first substitution of the game in the 55th minute when he brought in the always dangerous Lloyd Sam for Sean Davis. Wright-Phillips moved behind Abang and Sam went to the wing.
New York held steady, and kept Columbus at bay, although tiredness was becoming noticeable in Marsch’s squad. The Red Bulls could have gotten the break they needed, after Sam’s cross was blocked by the hand of Waylon Francis inside the box, the assistant referee 15 yards of the play kept his flag down much to the Red Bull’s protesting. Marsch went to his bench again in the 66th minute, and brought Zizzo for Abang, moving BWP up front.
The Red Bulls struggled in the midfield, orphan of McCarty’s work rate, and settling presence. Felipe did all he could, but McCarty is the cog the Red Bulls needed tonight, especially when they needed to slow the game down, and keeping Columbus contained. Without McCarty the team struggled, and would eventually give up the go ahead goal to Columbus in the 74th minute involving same two protagonists – Kamara and Finlay. The golden boot leader put through a header across the box to an incoming Finlay who beat Kemar Lawrence to the ball, tucking it past Robles.
The Crew had deservedly turned the result, and the Red Bulls could do very little to prevent it. Columbus would threaten one more time as Kamara drove a left foot shot that Robles did very well to stop. On the other end BWP saw his header denied by Clark, it was the final push by the Red Bulls but at this point they had very little in the tank.
After a 6 game run in which they were able to stop a 4 game losing streak, get an emotional win in the Derby, and qualify for the USOC quarter finals, the Red Bulls drop 3 points to a conference opponent. They will now have an entire week to recharge their batteries, and get ready to play the New England Revs this coming weekend.
Alfredo Fumacas @Talkingtodadoll
