The New York Red Bulls faced Club de Foot Montreal in a match that would determine who would take over seventh place, which was the final playoff spot in the MLS Eastern Conference. Pressure was on the Red Bulls to rebound after they suffered a tough loss against D.C. United earlier in the week.
Three days after the Red Bulls had their eight match unbeaten streak snapped by their arch rivals down in Washington D.C., they returned to their home field of Red Bull Arena to take on Club de Foot Montreal.
This match was very important for both teams; Montreal were one point ahead of the Red Bulls in the seventh and final playoff spot in the Major League Soccer (MLS) Eastern Conference and looking to hold on to their position with a tie or victory.
From the Red Bulls point of view, this game was possibly even more dramatic for them than it was for the visiting team. The Red Bulls were on an eight match unbeaten streak (and four game winning streak) before they lost to D.C. United on Oct. 27. That loss dropped them back down to eighth place, but with a victory at home against a Montreal team in seventh place, they would take over the seventh and final playoff spot with just two games left to go in what has been a wild 2021 MLS Season.
How the Game Unfolded
In the fifth minute, the Red Bulls nearly took an early lead when midfielder, Wikelman Carmona's left-footed strike was saved by the left boot of Montreal goalkeeper, Sebastian Breza. The rest of the second half was interesting but not as eventful as the second half, which would have all the action.
The Red Bulls looked the stronger team when the second half began. Tom Edwards' free kick in the 49th minute created all kinds of problems for Montreal's defense, but was cleared just in the nick of time. Then Andrew Gutman nearly put the hosts in front when a loose ball popped up to him in the air but his shot was saved by Breza.
Red Bull manager Struber subbed off Wiki Carmona and replaced him with Fabio, who could give the Red Bulls a fresh attacking option to work with. Later in the second half, Struber brought on three more players for Red Bull including midfielders Caden Clark, Frankie Amaya, and Youba Diarra.
When the referee signaled for just three minutes of stoppage time, the game was scoreless and the Red Bulls needed a goal. That was when the Red Bulls big guns up front delivered. Red Bull center forward, Patryk Klimala sent a high cross from the edge of the penalty area into the penalty area. The cross was headed by Caden Clark over to Fabio who headed the ball off the crossbar and in. Thanks to Fabio's stoppage time goal, the Red Bulls were able to take three points from this game and move past their adversary and into the seventh and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.
Needed it.
Wanted it.GOT IT. pic.twitter.com/mWJtFttQFP
— Boo York Red Bulls (@NewYorkRedBulls) October 31, 2021
Postgame Reaction
In their last ten matches, the Red Bulls won five games by a score of 1-0. Ironically, the Red Bulls were coming off a 1-0 defeat at the hands of D.C. United that snapped their unbeaten streak and put their playoff hopes in jeopardy, but did not have a hangover against Montreal.
Manager Gerhard Struber's stroke of genius in this game was subbing on Fabio and Caden Clark, who worked together to produce the winning goal.
Struber discussed what his team did well against Montreal.
Our style of play frustrated the opponent in the second half. They have no space, no time and [tonight Montreal was] a team that wants to celebrate possession and individual moments, they have a big issue with that and my boys crushed the mindset from Montreal. This was a big goal for us and a big key to us winning this game.
Clark who provided the game-winning assist, discussed why it was important for his team to bounce back with a win after a loss.
It’s a really big game for us because after a loss in the season we would go down hill and keep losing so it goes to show you this team has changed their mentality and when the games on the line we’re going to get the job done.
At the end of the night, the Red Bulls go home having defeating a team ahead of them in the standings and that gives them sole possession of the final playoff spot in the East. However, now the climb up Major League Soccer Mountain becomes steeper and the team must bring an even sharper focus into their next game against Atlanta United next Wednesday at Red Bull Arena.
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