HARRISON, N.J. – After two difficult draws in almost polar-opposite contexts, the New York Red Bulls finally looked like themselves again in a 1-0 home win over D.C. United on Sunday night, a result that showcased the team’s trademark style.
It was frantic and manic, just the way the Red Bulls like it, as they pressed, counter-pressed and harried a tough United side for the win. It was a welcome sight for RBNY and head coach Chris Armas, washing away the memory of Wednesday's disappointing New York Derby draw and allowing them to keep pace with Atlanta United in the battle for the Supporters’ Shield.
“Luis Robles just said: ‘Guys, it looked like us.’ And if we are not looking like us, then who are we, right? We have a way. And you can say we're stepping up or dropping back, but our way is our way and we understand that in here,” Armas said Sunday after the match.
“Tonight against a really good team, look at the points. Watch what they have done – they have rolled over some teams in this last month. So, yeah, that's important, and in New York, against New York City [FC], we looked a lot like us in the first half, too. OK, things changed in the second half when you have the ball more, you're up a guy, then you're up two guys.
“So yeah, it's an against-the-ball day, or can you unlock and have patience and decision-making and get the details right? It does change. Now, we felt frustrated after [Wednesday]. How wouldn't we? A derby match, we get up one, give up a goal and now we're up and we want the three points.”
Now the Red Bulls hope to build further momentum that can carry them beyond this weekend to an almost certain postseason berth, and perhaps a run at some hardware. They are now unbeaten in their last five games and 6-1-2 since a loss at NYCFC on July 8.
RBNY made things difficult on United, limiting English star Wayne Rooney to just one dangerous look at goal, a second-half shot that clanged off the bar. Despite enjoying an edge in possession, D.C. had difficulty in their buildup and eventually were forced to play long balls to try and get service to their attacking players.
“They kind of wear you down,” said head coach Ben Olsen of the Red Bulls. “It's hard to play this team. It's hard to play the way you want to play against them. They make you adapt to them.”
Sunday’s win marks the midpoint of a tough stretch of five games in 15 days for New York, which concludes with another home fixture on Wednesday against the Houston Dynamo (8 pm ET | TV and streaming info) and Saturday’s visit to the Montreal Impact (7:30 pm ET | TVAS — Full TV & streaming info).
Having rebounded from their letdown in the New York Derby, RBNY will now look to keep up the pressure on Atlanta with two more positive results, all the while keeping an eye on the ultimate prize ahead: MLS Cup.
“The playoffs, we're going to be there, so it's just about having the right mentality and understanding that frustration never helps. In big games, that has to lead to clarity, and we talk about it all the time; focus, clarity, next play, where is it coming, and not to stop and get distracted,” said Armas.
“So these games are great. They are great preparation down the stretch and obviously we have a goal in mind every game, and to keep winning and to put ourselves in a spot for a few goals here. These are good tests for us and they feel a lot like the real thing.”
