TORONTO – Sometimes a team just needs their goalkeeper to come up big.
Luis Robles did exactly that for the New York Red Bulls on Sunday evening, putting in an eight-save performance against Toronto FC in a 1-0 win at BMO Field.
“Not our best game by any means,” said coach Jesse Marsch post-match. “We'll probably throw most of this video out and just say this was a great result on the road.
“Some days you're going to need that. It's always nice to know we've got such a great goalkeeper.”
The Red Bulls took an early lead through Kemar Lawrence, but needed Robles to withstand the TFC barrage in the second half.
“They call him the 'Iron Man,' now everybody knows for what,” said Lawrence. “We depend on him to make big saves and he always makes them. Terrific leader and great guy. I'm happy he's on my team and I don't have to play against him.”
Just seconds into the second half, Toronto's Jordan Hamilton was played in on goal, only for Robles to come up huge. He then denied Michael Bradley, Marky Delgado and Jonathan Osorio – twice – over the next 30 minutes.
“We have such a great room and a great spirit,” said Robles. “We feel like we can do something special. Today was another opportunity not only to prove to ourselves, but the rest of the league that we're a team that not only can press and get goals, but also keep a good team like Toronto off the scoresheet.”
The game-saving moment came in the 78th minute when Robles proved equal to a Sebastian Giovinco penalty kick following a Video Review-induced Tim Parker handball.
“Once the penalty is given, you start to calculate how you are going to go about [it],” explained Robles. “Before the game, I decided I was going to go one way. It turns out a penalty was called and my mind was already made up.
“I was very fortunate he put it in a place where I could save it.”
Said Marsch: “The penalty save is like icing on the cake because of all the other stuff he did – cutting out through balls, dealing with different moments. One of his best performances. It was really fun to watch.”
The three points see the streaking Red Bulls leapfrog over their crosstown rivals NYCFC into second place in the Eastern Conference ahead of next Sunday's NY Derby (7 pm ET | FS1, TSN2 – Full TV and streaming info).
“When derby week comes there's a lot of energy, a lot of excitement,” said Marsch, noting the changes that have taken place at NYCFC, with Dome Torrent replacing Patrick Vieira. “A lot of similarities, but there are some nuances that we'll have to be on top of.
“It's a fun day,” added Marsch. “On national television; good crowds at Yankee Stadium. It's a small field, plays into our strengths in terms of pressing and making the game fast and hard.”
Though form often matters little in a derby, the momentum from knocking off the defending champions at their ground should not be underestimated.
“For us to get a result against a team like Toronto, not only boosts our confidence, but allows us to continue to take a step forward knowing we are a good team,” said Robles. “There is still a lot more to go, but as long as we keep on our trajectory, we can accomplish some special things.”
