HARRISON, N.J. – Despite being outplayed for portions of the match, the New York Red Bulls managed to churn out an ugly but effective 1-0 win over Alianza FC on Thursday night, a result that likely sends them to the next round of the Scotiabank CONCACAF Champions league. And they did so just four days removed from perhaps the most disappointing match of their MLS season to date.
It was a strong and veteran starting XI from head coach Jesse Marsch, featuring eight players who regularly feature or are starters against El Salvador’s champions. Perhaps even more surprising was that the unit was rather disjointed almost from the start.
It seemed that there was a hangover effect from Sunday’s 2-2 home draw against D.C. United, where the Red Bulls gave up two goals in the game’s final moments. It was a frustrating result given the way they controlled the match and let yet another lead slip away, this time against their longest-held rivals.
This time, it was a late goal that went the right way that lifted the Red Bulls to top of the group, a Sacha Kljestan finish in the 90th minute off a Gonzalo Veron assist, making this a happy ending for New York.
“It wasn’t quite as tight as we normally look like in terms of the tactics and approach to how we play. That’s going to be normal sometimes when you put some new faces on the field," Marsch said after the game.
“But the resolve to stay after the game; listen there’s some moments at the end where they had some corner kicks and some set pieces and they’re trying to push us – but our guys stayed with it, stayed after it. I tried to continue to encourage them on the field to go after the game but do it in a smart way. And then obviously the ability to make that play in the end is hugely important for us.
“Yea, I thought there was some character. We talked this week about when we are in these tight games, in these situations to stand up tall, not back down and go after the game in the right way. And they absolutely did that.”
Alianza frustrated the Red Bulls all night long, not only limiting the home side defensively but proving quite able in the attacking end. They moved well in the final third and forced Red Bulls goalkeeper Luis Robles into several key saves, especially in the second half.
But unlike Sunday’s draw, the Red Bulls this time found their backbone and resolve to pull out a result. It was three points that all but booked passage into the next round of the Champions League for the first time in club history.
“Good result from the guys to stick with it,” Kljestan said.
“Keep plugging, keep plugging, keep plugging and finally get the goal.”
