Red Bulls Run Past NYCFC

 

The scene at the start of the Hudson River Derby. Photo by Jason Schott.

New York City Football Club lost a heartbreaker on Friday night at Yankee Stadium, 1-0, to the Red Bulls in the latest installment of the Hudson River Derby.

With the win, the Red Bulls improve to 9-6-11, with 33 points, in eighth place in the MLS Eastern Conference, as they pass NYCFC (8-8-10, 32 points) in the standings.

After a first half in which NYCFC had a couple of chances and the Red Bulls had very little offense, NYCFC had a top quality chance from Luighi in the 52nd minute that just missed the right post.

Then, in the 59th minute, United States Men's National Team head coach Mauricio Pochettino, who was in attendance, must have felt a case of deja vu.

Red Bulls central midfielder Mohammed Sofo sent a clearing pass from their end towards Julian Hall.

It actually went to NYCFC center back James Sands, who had trouble corralling it, but had enough to send it back towards goalkeeper Matt Freese.

Just as in the US's World Cup loss to Belgium, Freese went way past the box to get to the ball, but Hall swooped in, took the ball, got past Freese and rolled it into the empty net to make it 1-0 Red Bulls.

It was the 10th goal of the season for the 18-year-old phenom, and he raced to the corner to look up to the Red Bulls fan section in the upper deck and celebrate.

The Red Bulls celebrate as Matt Freese regroups. Photo by Jason Schott.

Sands said after the match, "Thank you for showing out today. I understand it's a tough result for everybody; the players, the staff, and the fans. I feel a big responsibility for that. It's important that we all stick together during this time and make a push for the Playoffs because we need everyone."

NYCFC hits the road for their next three matches, starting at Atlanta United next Saturday, September 26 at 7:30 p.m.

Then, they head to Chicago to play the Fire on October 10, with kickoff at 2:30 p.m. before they head to South Beach to face Lionel Messi and Inter Miami on October 14 at 7:30 p.m.