San Jose Earthquakes Capitalize on New York Red Bulls Defensive Lapses

The New York Red Bulls were dumped unceremoniously out of the MLS Cup Playoffs 3—1.
San Jose Earthquakes Capitalize on New York Red Bulls Defensive Lapses
San Jose's Bobby Convey may have taken the worst in this collision with New York's Chris Albright, but his two goals and one assist took the Earthquakes past the Red Bulls. (Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
11/4/2010
Updated:
10/1/2015
<a><img src="https://www.theepochtimes.com/assets/uploads/2015/09/Convey106382276.jpg" alt="San Jose's Bobby Convey may have taken the worst in this collision with New York's Chris Albright, but his two goals and one assist took the Earthquakes past the Red Bulls. (Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)" title="San Jose's Bobby Convey may have taken the worst in this collision with New York's Chris Albright, but his two goals and one assist took the Earthquakes past the Red Bulls. (Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)" width="320" class="size-medium wp-image-1812586"/></a>
San Jose's Bobby Convey may have taken the worst in this collision with New York's Chris Albright, but his two goals and one assist took the Earthquakes past the Red Bulls. (Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
The New York Red Bulls were dumped unceremoniously out of the MLS Cup Playoffs 3–1 in the second leg of their aggregate against the San Jose Earthquakes at Red Bull Arena on Thursday with sloppy, unorganized defensive play and flustered offensive efforts.

San Jose dominated the first 10 minutes of the game, scoring in the sixth minute. Midfielder Bobby Convey broke free from Rafa Marquez and placed a loose ball top shelf with his left foot from just inside the 18-yard box.

Another chance came for the Earthquakes a minute later when forward Ryan Johnson took a strong shot on Bouna Coundoul, who blocked it, but gave up a valuable rebound that was headed just wide by the shooter.

New York failed to effectively clear the ball on several opportunities, playing with anxiety while their attacks were finished lethargically.

Until the goal by Convey, the Red Bulls hadn’t allowed a goal at home for 308 minutes of play.

But eventually, the Red Bulls stepped up their game completing crisp passes and forcing their way into scoring chances. Rookie Tim Ream stepped up on defense making it to the gaps and closing in on tackles.

Earthquakes goalkeeper Jon Bush had an excellent game as the Red Bulls turned up the pressure.

Rafael Marquez took a free kick outside just outside of the 18-yard box in the 52nd minute. His shot dipped over the wall and went wide left. Midfielder Mehdi Ballouchy, minutes later, beat a defender inside the six-yard box and had his shot blocked by Bush with a stupendous kick save in the 59th minute.

Convey scored his second goal of the game in the 76th minute on a play he started at midfield. Convey received the ball at the top of the 18, turned defender Tim Ream and fooled New York keeper Bouna Coundoul with a rising left-footer.

At this point, it looked like all was lost for the Red Bulls, but they responded with a goal from Juan Pablo Angel in the 77th minute.

Angel had been looking for the ball all night. He headed the ball in on a cross from 17-year-old Juan Agudelo. The product of New York’s academy had a stellar performance and has a very bright future ahead of him. His size, strength, and eagerness to take on defenders was on full display.

But this was Convey’s night and he had another point added to the statistics for the evening when he assisted on Chris Wondolowski’s goal in the 80th minute. Wondolowski was found with an perfectly weighted ball and was able to put a clean header in the top right corner past Coundoul.

“We played well, came out and had a game plan, stuck to the game plan and did what we wanted to do,” Convey told ESPN after the game.

“We just bring a workmanlike attitude,” said Wondolowski referring to his team’s success on the road.

Thierry Henry subbed into the game in the 83rd minute for Agudelo. He could have written a storybook ending, but missed on a header that came from a corner kick from Rafael Marquez.

The Red Bulls will be extremely disappointed with the loss after winning the Eastern Conference and having a one-goal lead coming to Red Bull Arena.

The Earthquakes will move on, winning the aggregate 3–2. They will face either the Columbus Crew or Colorado Rapids in the next round.