Neither side could score in an entertaining 0-0 draw at Red Bull Arena. Here are three things we learned.
The New York Red Bulls came into the Saturday contest the hotter team. Winners of four straight, they were seen as favorites against the Philadelphia Union following their 3-1 statement win over Atlanta last weekend.
But the Union were also in good form, winners of their previous two coming into this one. The Red Bulls, as expected started out the better of the two teams. They used their signature pressing game to create shots, but were unable to convert.
Bradley Wright-Phillips was unable to add to his eight goals this season and was largely stifled for large parts of the game. So was Kaku, who couldn’t produce the final pass necessary thanks to Union’s timely tackling.
Philadelphia had a golden chance to steal three points on the road, winning a penalty in the 53rd minute. Kemar Lawrence was called for a handball inside the box, referee Ted Unkle pointed to the spot where CJ Sapong stepped up to take. But even after sending Meara the wrong way, Sapong got too cute and dragged his penalty wide of the mark.
In the end, both teams were unable to finish the chances they created and leave with a point apiece. Here are three things we learned.
3. Andre Blake and Ryan Meara were excellent
Meara stepped in for Luis Robles for the second straight week. He didn’t disappoint, in fact he produced big saves similar to the ones he had against Atlanta.
His biggest moments against Union all came in the first half. In the 29th minute, the Union’s Marcus Epps raced past the defense and had a shot on goal. However, Meara got off his line to get low, close down the angle and parry the shot away.
It was one of the few times Union were able to get behind New York’s defense which produced a clear opportunity on goal. With Robles still nursing a knee injury, the Red Bulls can only be thankful they still have Meara to step in and deliver. A clean sheet will give him more confidence going forward.
On the other side was Blake, who produced a man-of-the-match display. The Jamaican was instrumental in shutting down New York’s high powered offense. Wright-Phillips was able to put the ball past him on one occasion was called back for offside. Aside from that, nobody on the Red Bulls had an answer for Blake.
It was the perfect response on the road, a point against one of the hottest teams in MLS. A game that’ll give Union much needed momentum heading into their next game, as they’re now unbeaten in their last three. New York is now unbeaten in six games but will feel disappointed not to get all three points at home.
2. Kaku and BWP had a rare off-night
Get this: This was just the second game all season in which both Kaku and Wright-Phillips have neither scored or assisted in a game. The other was a 1-0 shutout loss at Real Salt Lake, which goes to show how prolific this duo has been so far.
It’s incredible, and all credit goes to Union and Blake whose defense were able to come through when it mattered most. Wright-Phillips had his share of shots on goal, but couldn’t convert, which ends his month of May with two goals in three games.
Kaku, on the other hand, didn’t have nearly the same influence as his English teammate. While he was always looking for space in-between the lines, his biggest problem was creating chances via the final ball.
He still leads the league with nine assists, no other player has more than six. If there is something other teams can take from watching Kaku Saturday night, it’s to close him down once he receives the ball. It won’t always be successful as he’s got a quick turn in his repertoire, but being able to muscle him off the ball will work more times than not.
The Red Bulls will hope this was just a rare off-night and that either one or both can produce the good in the next game. But for now, plaudits belong to Philadelphia, whose game-plan worked in shutting down the most prolific duo in MLS.
1. Both teams face a difficult stretch before Open Cup
Let’s look forward. The Red Bulls will have the chance to get back in the win column against the New England Revolution in their first meeting of this season.
New York has fared well on the road this season, but will miss right-back Michael Murillo as he’s going to the World Cup with Panama. Last season, the Red Bulls won both matchups against the Revolution both home and away. But it’ll be the first time they encounter them with Brad Friedel as first-year coach.
Only four points separate the two teams, with New York in 4th place (22 points) and New England in 6th (18 points). After that, the Red Bulls go back home to face rivals New York City in the 4th round of the U.S. Open Cup. Not an easy stretch by any means.
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