On a day where we all were remembering that horrible day of September 11th twenty years ago, the New York Red Bulls faced their arch-rivals in DC United and ended the match in a one-all draw at Red Bull Arena.
The Red Bulls opened the scoring early in the 6th minute as Dru Yearwood finally converted his first league goal after a season and a half since he came over from England during the pandemic year of 2020. He got some help from Patryk Klimala on the chance.
As it looked like the ball was going to roll over the near side touchline, Klimala was able to keep the ball in play and shrugged off the DC Defender, he make a quick pass to Yearwood who dribbled a little more to the middle of the field and then released a shot that hit the back of the net and inside the near post.
But the back end of the first half is where everything went wrong for the Red Bulls as VAR has now become an enemy of the club either at home or on the road. Central defender Sean Nealis who was trying to defend a shot, spun a little to his left, by tucking in his right arm towards his body, but sadly extended his left arm away from his body.
The ball struck his left arm inside the Red Bulls area and was originally called a corner for DC, but VAR contacted referee Robert Sibiga and informed him that Nealis handled it and pointed to the spot. Ola Kamara converted the penalty to level the match in the 44th minute.
But once the second half started it was more of the same visitors would do to the Red Bulls, smothering defense and limiting these kids from getting a second goal, by blocking shots, and frustrating them earning chances.
Positive Take Aways for Red Bulls
The positives were the goalkeeping of Carlos Coronel who made a huge save a few minutes after Yearwood converted his chance as DC United got a free-kick and when Julian Gressel attacked the net with a leaping header, Coronel made a quick two-handed save to parry the ball over the crossbar.
The other was the first match coming off the bench by Harrison, NJ native, and USL Red Bulls product Omar Sowe as he got his chance to earn some minutes after signing his first MLS Pro contract this early morning.
There is real concern that the Red Bulls are not going to make the playoffs for the first time in a very long time if they don't fix this situation in a hurry. This nightmare will come true and that is the one thing the supporters don't want to come true.
- Red Bulls Reunite Nealis Brothers - December 16, 2021
- John Wolyniec steps down as Red Bulls 2 head coach - December 10, 2021
- Red Bulls transfered and signed Carlos Coronel to three-year deal - December 6, 2021
