NYRB 1-0 Revs
Road Warriors thus far, NYRB has established a new team mark, opening the season with 3 road wins. Nothing new, really as over their last 9 games away, they are 7-1-1 with a GD of 17-5, reestablish RBA as the Fortress our friend Shep Messing described it as during the broadcast and you are well on your way to a great season. Last game in the friendly confines of RBA, they similarly had not much going late game, scored very late and at full strength were unable to hold the lead for 5’, now they held it, then a later red to their opponents, made it a bit easier to hang on after the OG. Progress, yes, but still oh so much to work on. Far too many fouls, a number of times the ball was passed rather than shot, held too long and lost, seeking to take on more players than either dishing it off or sending the ball goalward, offense is the only way most times to win, no goal no win. The defense was very stout to kill of the man down, ala hockey, just clearing it as if killing a penalty. These games are always rife with fouls, but this was a lot of cards, many were foolish and in waves, that will cost you games and as they add up, players in games.
Aaron Long the Capt., just in off of USMNT duty had a great early chance, wonder if he would have gotten the start had he played in the last game? Gil seeking Rennicks, but a bit too much on the ball Tolken goes down, the ball finds Yearwood who looks to take on too many in the area and is dispossessed. Klimala is 1 v 1 ,with Farrell, he gets off his shot, saved by Knight who had a great game, over the endline for a corner. Lletget to McNamara, the NY product returns it and Sebastian gets off a go on goal at Coronel. Jones gets off a long distance shot on Coronel, he takes care of it without issue. Morgan is down and a yellow to Kessler at 25’ the first of many over the span of this game. A good look at St. John’s & Rev’s legend Shalrie Joseph on the Rev bench, the former HC of Grenada after his international playing career is also with New England’s academy system. DFK to Martin who gives to Barlow but it is right at Knighton. A 20 yard shoot brings Knighton to full extension, he is able to push it over the bar for a corner. Barlow for Omir, it winds up with Knighton. Barlow receives a caution at 35’ as he puts Kizza into the boards, the card for not giving the 10 yards. Klimala puts McNamara down hard, then at 44’ Yearwood is cautioned. For the 2nd half NY needs to cut the fouls, get forward better & the defense needs to absorb far less pressure.
Fernandez has the ball deep in the Revs end, he holds too too long and losses it. Yearwod lets go with a rip from beyond the arc, caught by the GK. NY keeps getting the ball deep into the offensive third, but are simply not putting the ball on goal. A shot goes off the hands of McNamara who did move to a different position but with VAR, no PK is awarded. Casseres from beyond the arc, hits a dipping shot that Knighton gets with ease. Coronel handles one of the quality efforts by Lletget. Jones skies a great chance and again the Red Bulls take too many touches. Amaya with a tackle, gets the ball and the player runs into his leg, going down, Frankie is ejected at 73’. The inability of NY to hold a one goal lead last game may now rear its ugly head during the last 17 minutes of this scoreless tie. Fletcher and Dylan Nealis enter the game at 78’. Another great chance by Lletgett, handled again by Coronel, who is having a great game. Fletcher has his cross go in off a defender for the 1-0 final at 90’ there are now 3’ of extra time to go. Buksa cautioned for grabbing Edwards by the shirt, dragging him into the goal and pushing him, gets another a minute later for kicking at Sean Nealis and is gone. Bruce Arena of Franklin Square is fuming on the sideline.
Let’s hope that they have righted their ship, learned how to close out a game, the way they played defense a man down was impressive for 15+’ . They are the only team to be 3-0 on the road in the MLS this year.