HANOVER, N.J. ā No one is a bigger fan of Michael Murillo than Sacha Kljestan, the captain of the New York Red Bulls who was singing the accolades of the defender on Friday. The endorsement comes after Mondayās comments by Kljestan, as he critiqued Murilloās role in Toronto FCās go-ahead goal in the Eastern Conference Semifinal first leg.
Sebastian Giovincoās second-half free kick from 25 yards might never had happened if the Red Bulls had stuck to their game plan to minimize the Toronto attackerās superb dead ball skills. On the goal, Murillo was supposed to vacate the wall and drop back towards the goal line to cover the near post so as to block any attempts by Giovinco over the wall.
Instead, Murillo peeled off late and Giovincoās free kick sailed over the Panamanian internationalās head. It was part of an evening where the Red Bulls were sloppy, Kljestan singling out that moment among āthe little details that annoy me.ā
On Friday, Kljestan clarified the remarks about Murillo, who was added to the team just prior to the start of the season.
āWell, I think Amir is good. I think heās played well all season [since] coming to us. I know I have caught a lot of flak for answering the question about the free kick goal. I never said we lost the game because Amir didnāt do his job on the free kick ā I just said he didnāt do his job on the free kick,ā Kljestan said.
āWe need everybody on the field to do their job to the best of their ability. Ultimately, Giovinco put a great free kick in and we end up losing 2-1. Weāre down but not out.ā
Murillo has been a major part of the Red Bulls' defense this year. The 22-year-old has played well both ways, adding good instincts to the backline.
Already a vital part of Panamaās national team, Murillo likes to push up into the attack which fits in well with the Red Bulls' style. But he has also been an asset to the backline in terms of his individual defending and counter-pressing.
Kljestan has full confidence in his teammates, including Murillo, that they can pull off an upset in Toronto and advance in the Audi 2017 MLS Cup Playoffs. And the Red Bulls captain is convinced that the team as a whole will put their best foot forward on Sunday in the decisive leg (3 pm ET | ESPN, ESPN Deportes; TSN1/4, TVAS in Canada).
āThe mood, in the team, is good. Like I said, weāre down but not out ā everybody is good including Amir. Heās had a positive attitude since the day he got here. And heās very well loved and well-respected within the group. I donāt think anyone likes Amir more than I do here,ā Kljestan said.
āI think heāll be great. When he defends 1-on-1 he rarely gets beat. Heās been a key guy for us in the back. If he can continue to play well weāll be successful.ā