Harrison, NJ -- After another match without a win on Sunday against the Portland Timbers, New York Red Bulls head coach Jesse Marsch had no doubt about his squads ability to rebound. "We'll get this thing going again. We'll get this going again. I'm not concerned [about that]." His confidence in his team paid off as the Red Bulls beat Orlando City at home Wednesday night 2-0.
Shake It Up
Both managers decided to shake up their lineup for the midweek match in Harrison, NJ. The Lions choose not to start Cyle Larin, while the Red Bulls started Sean Davis as Dax McCarty's midfield pair, and not Sacha Kljestan. Starting Sean Davis in the midfield allowed Felipe to play as the central playmaker at the #10 spot, a position that gives him more creative freedom in the final third. Putting Davis in the holding role also allows for more freedom from the fullbacks, and for one of them that freedom paid off.
Leftback Connor Lade scored his first career Major League Soccer goal in the 37th minute, when he placed the loose ball off a corner kick behind Lions' goalkeeper Joe Bednik to give the home side the lead. Red Bulls' boss Jesse Marsch continued to gush over his left back in the post match press conference.
Battle Royale
Most of the match was a fierce midfield battle, where Red Bulls youngster Alex Muyl was a workhorse going after every contested ball. A rare start for designated player Antonio Nocerino was not enough to elevate the City midfield towards the Red Bulls' box, as the Italian was seen arguing with many of his teammates over the passing he received and the movement of his team on the field.
The Red Bulls doubled their lead in the 59th minute on another set piece goal. Felipe rocked a swerving free kick on the edge of the box, splitting the wall and giving Joe Bednik no chance at making a save. Regardless of some terrible set pieces from good positions earlier in the match, it was the simple old direct free kick that gave the Red Bulls the 2-0 lead.
Big Players, Small Result
Despite brining in two large targets in Julio Baptista and Cyle Larin in the beginning stages of the second half, Orlando failed to create much in the final third. Only in the final fifteen minutes, when Brek Shea dribbled straight towards defenders and Baptista's physicality gave the Red Bull midfield some fits, did Orlando have chances in the Red Bull box.
Orlando's chance to get back into the match seemed like a certainty in the 76th minute, when lethal goal scorer Cyle Larin was slotted in one-on-one with New York's 'keeper Luis Robles. Robles made sure not to fall down until Larin shot towards goal, and the longtime Red Bull captain was able to stone wall the Canadian striker and protect his club's 2-0 lead.
That save proved to be the best chance at goal on the night for the Lions, another missed oppurtunity in a string of terrible form for City. Orlando has failed to win now in their last four matches, including a loss to NASL side the Ft. Lauderdale Strikers in the US Open Cup.
Next Up
New York makes the trip down I-95 to Philadelphia for a crucial match against the Union. Orlando has to travel across the continent to the Pacific Northwest to take on the Vancouver Whitecaps at BC Place on short rest.
