Harrison, NJ- If coming home was supposed to cure all road woes, then the New York Red Bulls had better hope that Sunday's result was just a fluke. With another terrible display in the final third, the Red Bulls and the Portland Timbers drew 0-0 at Red Bull Arena on Sunday night. The Red Bulls continued their poor form in MLS action while the Timbers were able to keep their unbeaten streak alive, now at seven straight matches without a loss.
Traded the Missing Piece?
In the first game after the trade of Lloyd Sam to DC United, the Red Bulls sure could have used some of his tempo and skill up the field. New York head coach Jesse Marsch elected to start Argentinian designated player Gonzalo Veron on the right side, and the Argentinian failed to muster anything of substance in the final third. Despite good interplay on the edge of the Portland box, both Mike Grella and Bradley Wright-Phillips failed to hit on target in the match.
New York's best chance on goal came in stoppage time when Felipe's shot from the top of the box went off Jake Gleeson's hands and hit the crossbar before going out for a corner. With the 19,985 in attendance on their feet for the last kick of the match, Ronald Zubar was unable to hit the net when the in swinging ball off the corner was loose in the box and his quick hit went wide of Portland's goal.
Injury Bug
The Timbers' best attempt at goal came when Ben Zemanski's shot from outside the box hit the post in the 56th minute. Portland's fate could have really been decided in the first five minutes of the match. Darren Mattocks injured himself in the first minute of the match and had to be substituted off.
The injury to Darren Mattocks continues Portland's fight with the injury bug. Despite being a game-time decision, captain Liam Ridgewell started and played all 90 minutes in today's match. Argentinian star Diego Valeri, on the other hand, had not traveled with the squad as he continues to recover from his injury.
Battle to the Nil
Despite a good battle between Fanendo Adi and Damien Perrinelle, who came on after an injury to Red Bulls' defender Gideon Baah, Portland's only other dangerous chance came from Lucas Melano's toe-poke shot in front of Luis Robles, who was able to react to the shot in time to deflect it aside.
The Red Bulls' push in the last ten minutes allowed them to create dangerous crosses in the box, but despite the late push at goal coach Jesse Marsch would have liked to have seen the effort earlier in the half.
"We could have made a bigger push earlier on in the second half," Marsch said at the post-match press conference. "Overall, on the day, we're just not quite good enough."
Next
Both sides host their next match on Wednesday night when the Red Bulls welcome a reeling Orlando City side to Red Bull Arena while Portland receives the Montreal Impact at Providence Park.
