In both good and bad ways, although the bad was not so bad and might have been better than if it had not occurred, Long Island players played a pivotal role in the win for the Red Bulls. I just confused myself. First, the good which came last. The second assist to Tom Barlow, an early 2nd half sub was suppllied by a late first half sub due to injury to Ivan, replaced by Massapequa's Sean Nealis. This was for an already depleted defense, minus USL Defender of the Year, Aaron Long all game and TIm Parker for the last 59' of the game due to a red card. It was a tactical red card, holding MLS leading goal scorer of late, Josef Martinez from as the rule states an obvious goal scoring opportunity. I am against taking these cards, as in most instances, the player is gone and an opponents goal with so much time left is highly likely, and staying at full strength affords you the opportunity to score one of your own, far less likely a man down and does give your 'keeper a chance to make a save, not so much of a chance here given the opponent, but it worked out. The true tale of this will show itself during the next game this Wed. and it is college night with $10 tickets with another return to RBA by Felipe, the recovery window is very small help, may come in the return of BWP but it is a wait and see. For such a great weather day, the crowd of 18,495 is to me a disappointment, yes there were many soccer people still on fields so maybe a later start would have helped, I am not privy to the machinations with TV etc. on that, but the PATH not running out of the WTC stop I am sure had some turn around.
Kwik Kixx:
-Tom Barlow with his first MLS goal helped NYRB to 5-5-2 to pass Atl Utd winning 4 of their last 5, now 6th in the Eastern Conf.
-Atl had their streak of 52 shutout minutes ended with the 3rd touch of the game by Barlow.
-RBA continues to be an inhospitable place for Atl as NY is now 3-0-1 with no goals for Atl.
=NYRB has 10 goal scorers out their last 11 goals, ridiculous balance.
-13 players have scored now for NYRB, 2018 saw 14.
-Sean Nealis is one of the lucky 13 as he scored in his first game facing Dallas, now he has the first assist of his young MLS career.
-Royer now leads in assists, with 4, 3 in his last 4 games.
-Luis Robles, the captain is now alone in MLS shutouts with 65, good for 8th place.
-Robles now has 105 MLS victories.
-Another from Long Island, HC Chris Armas also of the Long Island Soccer Player Hall of Fame is now 17-8-5 overall and 12-4-0 at RBA in MLS competitions.