Red Bull New York really should have defeated rivals NYCFC at home on Saturday night, but at full time, honors were even with the Hudson River Derby ending in a 1-1 draw.
“Performance of the team, excellent,” Red Bull New York head coach Michael Bradley said during his post-game press conference. “First half, really, really good, on top in every way, score a really good goal, give away next to nothing.
“Second half, we know that in a big game they’re going to push and respond, try to change a little bit, and you know, one of the things that we have to continue to work on is our ability to defend set pieces, and so they’re able to get back to one, and obviously at that point both teams are pushing, I thought we were going to still find a way to get the winner. We have a few good advantages, few good chances, but overall, like I said, very, very proud of the team.”
Ruvalcaba Continues Strong Form but Red Bulls Needed More Clinical Edge
There were enough high-danger chances in the first half for the Red Bulls to have gone into halftime with a 2-0 lead. Instead, the Red Bulls went into the break with a slim 1-0 advantage.
Cade Cowell caused all kinds of problems for NYCFC down the right wing throughout the match. He skipped his way past NYCFC defenders and provided several dangerous balls into the box.
In the 44th minute, Ronald Donkor slid through a pass to Cowell, who then placed the ball into the box that was met with a scramble of Red Bull attackers. Jorge Ruvalcaba got the last touch to give the Red Bulls a 1-0 lead.
NYCFC Score Equalizer After Questionable Refereeing Decision
Controversy surrounded NYCFC’s 52nd-minute equalizer. Nicolás Fernández hit the deck after the slightest of touches from Dylan Nealis to win a free kick in dangerous territory.
Red Bull New York captain Emil Forsberg stated his complaints to the referee over the placement of the free kick during the match and again stated his disagreement over the placement following the match.
“I was not happy at all with where they placed the ball. I thought it was much more outside where the initial foul was. I wanted to remind the ref, of that but he wasn’t listening. It doesn’t matter; they scored, we have to defend better.”
Set Piece Troubles Cost the Red Bulls Again
NYCFC would equalize from the free kick through Perea’s header. It was a free header. No Red Bull defender was near him.
“I think we just have to keep working on set pieces,” Donkor said. “We will keep our eye on it and work on it so that maybe when we play against them, it’s not happening every week.”
Midfielder Adri Mehmeti took responsibility for not marking Perea.
“I could have marked him, so that was kind of on me,” Mehmeti explained. “But listen, we look at these things again and again on video, we come back in training, and then you take the positives into the next game.”
NYCFC star midfielder Maxi Moralez suffered an apparent left knee injury and needed to be stretchered off in the 39th minute. He was replaced by Andrés Perea.
“All the best for Maxi,” Forsberg said. “It was sad, very sad. Hopefully, it’s not too bad, and he can come back very soon.”
Despite the 1-1 draw feeling somewhat deflating, the Red Bulls have now gone three matches undefeated and have the chance to finish on a high before the 2026 FIFA World Cup break.
“We’re going in a good direction – that’s the most important thing,” Bradley stated.
Should the Red Bulls win in Kansas City next Saturday, it will be 10 points out of a possible 12.
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