The goliaths of Major League Soccer (MLS) battled it out in an East versus West showdown, which was possibly a preview of the MLS Cup game.
The game was geared up as a star-studded affair with potentially five designated players playing, but unfortunately for the Red Bulls, Thierry Henry had an injured left knee and didn’t play.
But the Red Bulls got the job done without any magic from their DPs [designated player]. One of the standout players for the Red Bulls was Jamaican midfielder Dane Richards, who scored the first goal in the 36th minute. The goal was a tap in off a Joel Lindpere shot that had bounced off the post.
“The first goal came by hard work, not just by me, but by the team,” said Richards on www.newyorkredbulls.com. “It was important for us to get the goal by the end of the half.”
New arrival Mehdi Ballouchy had an energetic and excellent game for the Red Bulls. “Man of the match. Absolutely outstanding,” said coach Hans Backe when asked about Ballouchy’s play.
“I’m surprised that he is that good. He is all over the pitch, he is so composed on the ball, wants the ball all of the time, gets our game going, [and] sets up strikers and wide players.” The Red Bulls traded forward Macoumba Kandji to the Colorado Rapids in exchange for Ballouchy on Sept. 14.
Becks is Back
The Galaxy had a rather sluggish showing throughout the match. This was the first time David Beckham played a full 90 minutes for the Galaxy since his Achilles tendon injury, which put him on the bench for majority of the season. Beckham played in the last two games for the Galaxy, but was not a starter until Friday night.
The Galaxy’s best chance to get back into the game was on a free kick taken by Beckham. It was a shot from 27 yards out, made it over the wall, but Red Bulls keeper Bouna Coundoul came up with a credible save.
Beckham was the Galaxy’s best player on this night with several good passes and crosses. He showed intensity and no fear of re-injuring his Achilles.
Coundoul had an outstanding match, taking charge of the top of the 18-yard box and dealing extremely well with everything the Galaxy could throw at him.
New York’s second goal came from team captain Juan Pablo Angel on a penalty kick in the second half, that ripped into the top left corner of the net. Dane Richards played an instrumental role in drawing the penalty with his blistering speed.
With the win the Red Bulls are now one point out of first place in the Eastern Conference behind the Columbus Crew.
Even with the loss the Galaxy still have the number one spot in MLS at 15–6–5 and have clinched a playoff birth. The playoffs will start at the end of October.
The Red Bulls only have four games left in the regular season. With the return of forward Thierry Henry from the injured list, the Red Bulls are looking to be a serious contender for the MLS Cup in Toronto on Nov. 21.
However up next for the Red Bulls are the Kansas City Wizards who currently in third place in the Eastern conference. The game will take place at Red Bull Arena on Saturday night.
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