In a game they played well enough to win, had enough chances on goal but for the outstanding play of the Fire netminder, Richard Sanchez who had a tremendous game and the upper right corner of the goal frame (Royer) it is a different result. BWP continued his torrid pace getting yet another goal. The defense was stout, the midfield did its job but Katai hit a highlight reel goal first time off a headed clearance by Aaron Long right back at the net and just missed the corner Royer dented on his shot, the 2nd goal was a pk as Robles brought down the attacking Katai in the box and the pk was neatly tucked away by Nikolic. This was the first loss for NY in 11 games, 7-0-4. In the 81st minute all the pressure by NY paid off as BWP got his 2nd goal in 2 games and 91st in MLS play, #108 overall as he outstretched the defender and poked it over the line, then grabbed the ball, pushing the gk to get it back in play faster. NY did a number on the FIre out shooting them 22-4, an 11-3 margin in corners (indicitive of attacking play), and all but doubled them in possession, 62.8% to 37.2 on the game.
Bradley Wright-Phillips, the lone goal getter for NYRB.
From the Fire standpoint agian the 'keeper saved the day. Rookie Mo Adams had the start in his MLS debut, playing the whole game.
Fire Quotes:
Head Coach Veljko Paunovic: The importance of the win, "definitely very important win for us. Very proud of the guys and they job they did."
Wilingness to sit back and absorb NYRB pressure, "It's more important the dynamics you create or the counter dynamics for your opponents. I think that's what we created today. I think we surprised them with our set up. That's why I'm very proud of our guys. The showed me today they can play mature, mature soccer. So very proud again."
What accounts for the slow start this year compared to last, "I think we had some late additions.
The importance of having veteran leadership with a slow start. "It's very important. They are calm. They are experienced. "
The strong perforances from Mo Adams and Richard Sanchez, "It was excellent and I think that's what we need. That's what we have to keep doing."
Richard Sanchez, "I think he's growing, the same as the team. It's very important, the position of goalkeeper. It's something that gives the team confidence. As he is growing, the team is getting better too. It goes together."
Winning physical battles today, "It is very important. As i said the team i sgrwing. It's actually another positive that we can add."
Capt Dax McCarty: On the win, "Yeah, its a really important result."
On sticking to the plan, "You're never going to have more possession than the Red Bulls here at Red Bull Arena. We did not want to give them that."
The rookies performances, "I thought Mo Adams was terrific. He knew his role, he broke up a lot of plays."
Bastian Schweinsteiger: Physical battles, "Against the Red Bulls, it is always physical. We tried to think of an intense game plan for them. But in the end, it worked."
Was CCL tape used, "We were watching some clips of that game, it's true. But we were alos watching different types of clips."
Richard Sanchez, " I think you can see improvement in him a lot. Especially today, he was very helpful for us. I hope he is going to be in the MLS Team of the Week, because he deserves it."
On beating teams at the top of the conference, "I think it is very important to win against Eastern Conference teams."