New York Red Bulls Highlights vs. Atl. PantojaHighlights: Watch the action of New York Red Bulls 2-0 victory in 🇩🇴 over Club Atlético Pantoja #PANvNYR #SCCL2019
Posted by Scotiabank Concacaf Champions League on Wednesday, February 20, 2019
The New York Red Bulls took care of business in the Dominican Republic, picking up a comfortable 2-0 win over Atletico Pantoja to open their 2019 Concacaf Champions League campaign. The result gives the Red Bulls a very strong chance to advance to the quarterfinals when they host Pantoja in the return leg of the first-round series on Feb. 27.
After a first half full of near misses, New York picked up the opener through a few slivers of good fortune. Pantoja 'keeper Odalis Baez parried an effort that barely stayed in along the end line, allowing Alex Muyl to collect the ball and put it back in the mixer. It eventually found Bradley Wright-Phillips, who smashed his effort in via deflections off the faces of Baez and then defender Jean Innocent, to whom an own goal was ultimately credited.
There was no doubt about the scorer of the Red Bulls' second goal on the other side of halftime. Kaku collected the ball near the end line and lofted a ball across the area with his weaker right foot for Daniel Royer to settle and slam past Baez to complete a well-worked move.
Also of note, Red Bulls head coach Chris Armas handed a first-team debut to 20-year-old Homegrown Omir Fernandez, who entered as a 75th-minute substitute. Fernandez was among a number of Red Bulls players to miss chances to add to the lead late on.
Goals
- 39' – RBNY – Jean Innocent (OG)
- 67' – RBNY – Daniel Royer
Three Things
THE BIG PICTURE: The Red Bulls are clearly in the driver's seat here. They picked up two away goals, and will be favored to win by more at Red Bull Arena next week.
MOMENT OF THE MATCH: The Red Bulls' first goal is one of the most bizarre you'll see this year and was a much-needed stroke of good fortune after a frustrating first half to that point.
MAN OF THE MATCH: Danny Royer certainly looked up for it in the Red Bulls' first competitive game of the year. In addition to a well taken goal, he was a consistent thorn in the home team's side and nearly had a couple more spectacular goals.
Next Up
- RBNY: Wednesday, Feb. 27 at Atletico Pantoja (2nd leg, | YahooSports.com, UDN)
- Pantoja: Wednesday, Feb. 27 vs. NY Red Bulls (2nd leg, | YahooSports.com, UDN)
