HARRISON, NJ (September 14, 2013) –Forwards Thierry Henry and Fabian Espindola each recorded a goal and the defense earned its ninth shutout of the year, as the New York Red Bulls moved into sole possession of first place in the Eastern Conference with a 2-0 win over Toronto FC Saturday night at Red Bull Arena.
With 48 points off a 14-9-6 record and five games left in the regular season, the Red Bulls broke out of a three-way tie atop the table and are now three points ahead of the Montreal Impact, which lost earlier in the day to Columbus, 2-1, and the idle Sporting Kansas City.
The Red Bulls will next play on Sunday, Sept. 22 against FC Dallas at 5:00 PM at Red Bull Arena (TV: MSG, UniMas; Radio: ESPN Deportes Radio Nueva York 1050 AM). Tickets for Red Bulls matches are available by calling 1.877.RBSOCCER or logging onto www.newyorkredbulls.com.
Both teams battled for control of the match early and Red Bulls midfielder Dax McCarty had an open look on goal in the 19th minute, hitting a left-footed volley that zipped straight to goalkeeper Joe Bendik. On the other end, Toronto FC forward Andrew Wiedeman headed an Alvaro Rey cross just over the bar.
Henry and the Red Bulls drew first blood in the 32nd minute. Rookie midfielder Michael Bustamante, making his first MLS start, played a through ball to McCarty, who controlled it and knocked a low pass across the box that was tapped in by Henry.
Bendik kept the visitors within one in the 67th minute, going to his right to parry away a Bradley Wright-Phillips header after the English forward was first to a bouncing ball in the box. Four minutes later, Wright-Phillips had space from 18 yards and fired it right at Bendik.
The Red Bulls doubled their advantage and secured the three points 10 minutes from full time. Following a cleared Henry free kick, David Carney’s deflected cross was flicked by Toronto FC Steven Caldwell. Espindola was first to it and headed it over Bendik and into the back of the net from an acute angle.
New York Red Bulls 2, Toronto FC 0
September 14, 2013 – Red Bull Arena – Harrison, NJ
MLS Regular Season
Scoring Summary:
NY: Thierry Henry 9 (Dax McCarty 3, Michael Bustamante 1) 32’
NY: Fabian Espindola 8 (unassisted) 80’
Disciplinary Summary:
NY: Michael Bustamante (caution) 44’
TOR: Steven Caldwell (caution) 58’
New York Red Bulls (14-9-6, 48 points) – Luis Robles, Kosuke Kimura, Jamison Olave, Markus Holgersson, David Carney, Eric Alexander, Dax McCarty, Michael Bustamante (Peguy Luyindula 90’), Jonny Steele, Thierry Henry, Bradley Wright-Phillips (Fabian Espindola 79’)
Substitutes Not Used: Ryan Meara, Marius Obekop, Ibrahim Sekagya, Tim Cahill, Matt Miazga
Toronto FC (4-14-11, 23 points) – Joe Bendik, Gale Agbossoumonde, Ashtone Morgan, Steven Caldwell, Mark Bloom, Jeremy Hall, Jonathan Osorio, Alvaro Rey (Kyle Bekker 88’), Bobby Convey, Andrew Wiedeman (Bright Dike 75’), Justin Braun (Jonas Elmer 53’)
Substitutes Not Used: Stefan Frei, Darel Russell, Michael Thomas, Reggie Lambe
Referee: Edvin Jurisevic
Referee’s Assistants: CJ Morgante, Brian Dunn
4th Referee: Kevin Terry Jr.
Attendance: 17,236
