The winning streak is over, but the unbeaten streak rolls on.
In a match that featured as many blunders as it did promising plays, the New York Red Bulls fought back from a first-half deficit, but couldn’t quite find the match winner despite being up a man for 11 minutes in their lone trip to Montreal this season.
"I'm very proud of our team tonight,” Red Bulls head coach Marsch said after the 1-1 draw with the Impact. “This has been a tough place for teams to get results. I thought we came in here and we pushed the game in a really good way, and for the most part we were the better team on the day and a little unlucky not to get the win."
Playing their third straight match away from Red Bull Arena, New York were hoping to extend their winning streak to four. But given the short rest and difficult environment, the lone point has many within the locker room feeling good as the road trip comes to an end.
“We’ve had three road games and we’d won the last two,” Lloyd Sam said after scoring the equalizer to become the seventh player in Red Bulls history to record 15 goals and 15 assists. “This one was always going to be difficult and it’s great to get a point on the road against a difficult team."
Still unbeaten in their last four matches, the Red Bulls are choosing to look on the bright side after an up-and-down performance. And in contrast to the play so often seen during their slump from late May into June, this New York side refused to panic after conceding the game’s first goal.
“There was a little bit of maturity about our performance,” winger Mike Grella said. “Even though we played very well in the first half, we hung in there and kept doing what we wanted to do. ... We had a bit of patience, so that maturity was good to get us back into the game.”
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The Red Bulls certainly had their chances to take all three points on the night, with their biggest one coming in the waning moments. In his return to Montreal, former Impact midfielder Felipe stood over a free kick from 22 yards out with the opportunity to snatch a late winner, but his curling effort stung off the far post to ensure it would be a point a piece for both sides.
"I was really hoping to score in the last minute, but I think we played well,” the Brazilian said after the match. “From the first minute we played the game we've been playing. We pushed the game, but at the end it was 1-1, maybe a little unlucky but now it's on to the next one."
The next one is an important one, of course, as the Red Bulls get set to host crosstown rivals New York City FC on Sunday night. With the comforts of home beckoning, the team’s focus has already shifted from Montreal to Red Bull Arena.
“I can’t wait to get back home and see the fans and see the field,” Sam added. “I’m really excited about that game, it’s a great one to get back to.”
