Fresh off their 1-0 win in the second Hudson River Derby, the New York Red Bulls were back at Red Bull Arena on Wednesday to face the Philadelphia Union for the third time this season. The Union took the first match 1-0 and the second game in July was a 1-1 tie at Red Bull Arena.
Omir Fernandez scored the winning goal in the club's last game and was rewarded with a start as one of three forwards in an aggressive 3-4-3 formation.
Saturday's win gave Red Bulls and their fanbase hopes of keeping their 12-year playoff streak alive. However, despite the momentum New York clearly would bring to this game, the visitors opened the scoring. In the 17th minute, the Union earned a corner kick from the left side.
Philadelphia's 27-year-old attacking midfielder, Jamiro Monteiro delivered a low but hard cross that bounced in the six-yard-box in front of Red Bulls keeper, Carlos Coronel. The loose ball traveled to an unmarked Sergio Santos who tapped the ball in to an open net for his fourth goal of the Major League Soccer (MLS) season.
Red Bulls Respond
The game was looking worse and worse for the Red Bulls. Carlos Coronel continued his great form by saving a sliding shot from Santos in the 35th minute. Moments later, the home side had finally found their groove.
After Coronel's world class save, the Brazilian took a goal kick that went all the way to about 25 yards out from Philadelphia's goal. Striker Patryk Klimala won the header off the goal-kick, heading the ball up into the box, where forward Omir Fernandez was in the right place at the right time.
Everything can change in 60 seconds ⚡️ pic.twitter.com/jBh4ap0zYV
— New York Red Bulls (@NewYorkRedBulls) September 30, 2021
In the 71st minute, Red Bull midfielder John Tolkin dribbled deep into Philadephia territory. The 19-year-old New Jersey native could have passed to Klimala, who made a run into the box and was open but instead shot high and left of the net. Klimala looked frustrated and Tolkin looked guilty after perhaps botching a clear opportunity to take the lead.
Both teams made two subs soon after. Frankie Amaya came on for Klimala and Daniel Royer for Dru Yearwood.
Shortly before regulation ended and stoppage time began, Tom Barlow ran into Jakob Glesnes, hitting his head on the big center-back's shoulder. The 24-year-old from St. Louis had to be tended to by the physio and would not return to the match, with a welt under his left eye.
Tom Barlow being seen by trainers following this. pic.twitter.com/dWGLv19dCi
— New York Red Bulls (@NewYorkRedBulls) September 30, 2021
Wikelman Carmona took the Red Bulls last shot, a left-footed effort from dead-center at the top of Philly's box that was blocked. Tom Edwards took the Red Bulls corner (which they had less of than Union) but it was headed strongly away by a Union defender to close the game.
Postgame
In the end, the Red Bulls failed to capitalize on the momentum gained from Fernandez's tying goal in the 25th minute. The Union's defense played well, but what ever happened to crossing into the box for Klimala or the 6'2" Tom Barlow from the wing? Why could Kyle Duncan or Andrew Gutman not run down the wings more and give the Union's defense more penetrating crosses to deal with?
The Union may have scored on a corner kick in the first half, but That goal was created when Pryzbylko used his 6'4" frame to impede his marker from heading the ball away, the ball went over both their heads where it was tapped in by Santos.
What led to the goal was Sean Davis (5'11") was marking Pryzbylko at the near-post. Sean Nealis should be covering Pryzbylko because he's the tallest Red Bull player at 6'4". After the game coach Struber discussed why he's disappointed with earning a tie when he though his team had more to offer than Union.
Today we played in a good direction, especially in the second half. In the first half, on set pieces there were some difficult situations for us. We were not sharp enough to win and [earn] three points and the result makes us very unhappy. - Gerhard Struber
Struber discussed his newest starting player Omir Fernandez who scored a goal in his second straight game.
Omir is sharp at the moment. He has a self-confidence and he's cool but he's also against the ball very good. He tries to create compact situations. Right now, he's a starting player and a big asset at the moment.
Fernandez discussed why the team has played so well of late.
In previous games, we we're right there to win the game. we we're a bit unlucky mid-season, some of it was our fault, but the confidence you can see it in the locker room, I think the team is growing a bit. Guys are playing with a different mentality, different swagger, because we have a lot of good players on this team and now they have the confidence to go out and show it. - Omir Fernandez
Finishing has been a problem for the Red Bulls this season. They've played three games against their second-biggest rivals, the Union but have not won one of those games, which sticks out like a sore green thumb to Red Bulls fans. The Red Bulls played very organized against NYCFC in both Hudson River Derby games but in the end scored two goals in two games, including a penalty goal by their top goal scorer, Patryk Klimala.
Overall, the Red Bulls way is an attacking-minded style of football. MSG Network broadcaster, Shep Messing explained away the team's goal-scoring troubles as that the team is the youngest in MLS, which is true, but why is a team whose structure is supposed to create goals the lowest-scoring team in MLS?
The Red Bulls' next opponent, FC Cincinnati may look like a pushover, but they have scored 28 goals this season to the Red Bull's 25! Fernandez has emerged as a nice attacking player, scoring three goals in his last four significant appearances, but the veterans need to get going and I mean you, Fabio and Patty!
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