Red Bulls midfielder Joel Lindpere was the difference maker in Saturday’s playoff victory over the San Jose Earthquakes. He scored the only goal of the game in a 1–0 win for New York.
Lindpere’s goal came from an excellent shot off a defensive header in the box. The ball was played in by a cross from New York striker Juan Pablo Angel. Lindpere was able to sweep up the attempted clearance by San Jose and put a low shot into the bottom left corner past Earthquakes keeper Jon Busch early in the second half.
Lindpere had been aggressively attacking the goal all game, having a couple of good shots in the first half before his chance came in the beginning of the second half. Newly acquired Mehdi Ballouchy had several touches as well near the goal, but was unable to capitalize.
This was the first leg of the playoff aggregate between the Red Bulls and the Earthquakes. The Red Bulls finished on top of the Eastern Conference and the Earthquakes were the lowest seeded team to make it into the playoffs.
“I think we played really well,” Red Bulls coach Hans Backe told ESPN. “It’s probably one of our best away games. [We were] so composed.”
Thierry Henry and Tony Tchani were both out of the line up for the Red Bulls on Saturday night. Henry has missed the last couple of games due to an injured left knee.
San Jose didn’t have their best showing only having a couple of scoring chances throughout the entire game.
San Jose’s best chance came in the 83rd minute when this year’s golden boot winner Chris Wondolowski sent a floating shot on Red Bulls keeper Bouna Coundoul. Coundoul was able to stop it with out having control.
Off the rebound, Eduardo put a half bicycle kick on it and just missed, having hit the post.
“Often, the difference between who goes on and who doesn’t are the plays in front of the goal,” Earthquakes Jason Hernandez said. “They got a goal and we were chasing it, looking for it, and couldn’t find it.”
There still is no report as to when Thierry Henry will return to the Red Bulls lineup. Adding to this Rafa Marquez has said that he still feels he isn’t playing at a hundred percent.
Even if the Red Bulls designated players haven’t been all they were expected to be, the team still has experience and confidence.
The second leg of the playoff aggregate will be played on Thursday night at Red Bull Arena. It will be the first playoff game to be played at the stadium.
“We have a slight lead,” Marquez told redbullsnewyork.com. “Now in New York we must take advantage of it and try for the win. There isn’t another objective.”
Lindpere’s goal came from an excellent shot off a defensive header in the box. The ball was played in by a cross from New York striker Juan Pablo Angel. Lindpere was able to sweep up the attempted clearance by San Jose and put a low shot into the bottom left corner past Earthquakes keeper Jon Busch early in the second half.
Lindpere had been aggressively attacking the goal all game, having a couple of good shots in the first half before his chance came in the beginning of the second half. Newly acquired Mehdi Ballouchy had several touches as well near the goal, but was unable to capitalize.
This was the first leg of the playoff aggregate between the Red Bulls and the Earthquakes. The Red Bulls finished on top of the Eastern Conference and the Earthquakes were the lowest seeded team to make it into the playoffs.
“I think we played really well,” Red Bulls coach Hans Backe told ESPN. “It’s probably one of our best away games. [We were] so composed.”
Thierry Henry and Tony Tchani were both out of the line up for the Red Bulls on Saturday night. Henry has missed the last couple of games due to an injured left knee.
San Jose didn’t have their best showing only having a couple of scoring chances throughout the entire game.
San Jose’s best chance came in the 83rd minute when this year’s golden boot winner Chris Wondolowski sent a floating shot on Red Bulls keeper Bouna Coundoul. Coundoul was able to stop it with out having control.
Off the rebound, Eduardo put a half bicycle kick on it and just missed, having hit the post.
“Often, the difference between who goes on and who doesn’t are the plays in front of the goal,” Earthquakes Jason Hernandez said. “They got a goal and we were chasing it, looking for it, and couldn’t find it.”
There still is no report as to when Thierry Henry will return to the Red Bulls lineup. Adding to this Rafa Marquez has said that he still feels he isn’t playing at a hundred percent.
Even if the Red Bulls designated players haven’t been all they were expected to be, the team still has experience and confidence.
The second leg of the playoff aggregate will be played on Thursday night at Red Bull Arena. It will be the first playoff game to be played at the stadium.
“We have a slight lead,” Marquez told redbullsnewyork.com. “Now in New York we must take advantage of it and try for the win. There isn’t another objective.”
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