HARRISON, N.J. – Ahead of a massive derby this weekend against NYCFC, the New York Red Bulls were looking to avoid a letdown against the Chicago Fire. The Red Bulls dominated possession, struggled to finish, but ultimately continued a good run of form at home in winning 1-0 on Wednesday.
“We knew that it was going to be a long, slow, frustrating game and the first half was that, but in the second half it opened up a little bit,” Red Bulls goalkeeper Luis Robles said after the game. “I think they took a few more risks and we were able to capitalize on one of their mistakes.”
Bradley Wright-Phillips flicked a back heel to Lloyd Sam on the right flank and Sam – in the vicinity of four Fire defenders – found Mike Grella, trailing the play, for a clinical finish.
“It came from one of their errors when they didn’t have time to get everybody back,” Sam said.
“The fact that we got a shutout against some very dangerous attacking players on the counter I think was a big step for us, and to grind out a game 1-0, right?” Red Bulls head coach Jesse Marsch said. “We haven't done that all year. We haven't shown the ability in a tight game to come out as the victor."
Players had different takes on what they learned heading into the derby (Saturday, 3 pm ET, FOX), which the Red Bulls swept last season.
“We know that we’ve got a huge task on Saturday,” Robles said. “It’s not necessarily about where we sit in the standings or what our run of form is right now. It’s gonna be about a pretty awesome rivalry that’s starting to gain momentum. And I know that [NYCFC are] going to be looking to, sort of, rectify what happened last year.
"...In the last five games, we’re 3-1-1 and outside of the little D.C. fiasco [when the Red Bulls lost 2-0 last week] I think we’re headed in the right direction.”
Sam saw it differently.
“I don’t think it’s gonna look like that heading into the derby,” he said. “I don’t think they’ll sit back as much as Chicago just did. It’ll be a different game I expect.”
