HARRISON, NJ (September 22, 2013) –The New York Red Bulls tallied their fourth consecutive win and regained sole possession of first place in the Eastern Conference following a 1-0 victory over FC Dallas at Red Bull Arena Sunday evening. The Red Bulls, whose only tally came on an own goal from FC Dallas midfielder Erick, now have a league-best 51 points with a 15-9-6 record and a three-point lead over second place Sporting Kansas City.
New York will next play on Sunday, Sept. 29, when it travels to CenturyLink Field to take on the Western Conference-leading Seatte Sounders FC at 9:00 PM ET in a nationally-televised contest between the two top teams in MLS (TV: ESPN; Radio: ESPN Deportes Radio Nueva York 1050 AM). New York then returns to Red Bull Arena on Saturday, Oct. 5 and will host the New England Revolution at 7:00 PM. Tickets for Red Bulls matches are available by calling 1.877.RBSOCCER or logging onto www.newyorkredbulls.com.
Looking to take charge of the match, the Red Bulls had an opportunity in the ninth minute as Jonny Steele chipped it towards the back post to Thierry Henry, who couldn’t get his volley on target. Five minutes later, David Carney’s 21-yard free kick sailed just wide of the mark. FC Dallas’ George John then nearly redirected an Eric Alexander cross in his own net but was saved by the right post, with the ball bouncing off the upright before the visitors were able to clear.
Just prior to halftime, Henry was able to get a step on John, corralling a Fabian Espindola feed and launching it high. On the other end, Red Bulls goalkeeper Luis Robles made a tremendous save to keep the match scoreless, pawing away Fabian Castillo’s close-range shot.
In the 63rd minute, Henry had a solid scoring chance, getting his head on Fabian Espindola’s pass and nodding it just past the right post.
In a tight contest, the Red Bulls went ahead for good with 14 minutes remaining in the match. Kosuke Kimura was able to get a deep cross that was put into the six-yard box by Steele. FC Dallas’ Erick slid and redirected it into his own net. Robles and the Red Bulls defense stayed firm for the remainder of the match, earning the club’s 10th shutout of the year.
New York Red Bulls 1, FC Dallas 0
September 22, 2013 – Red Bull Arena – Harrison, NJ
MLS Regular Season
Scoring Summary:
NY: Erick (own goal) 76’
Disciplinary Summary:
DAL: Jair Benitez (caution) 38’
DAL: Fabian Castillo (caution) 74’
DAL: Kellyn Acosta (caution) 81’
New York Red Bulls (15-9-6, 51 points) – Luis Robles, Kosuke Kimura, Jamison Olave, Markus Holgersson, David Carney, Eric Alexander (Brandon Barklage 84’), Dax McCarty, Tim Cahill, Jonny Steele, Thierry Henry, Bradley Wright-Phillips (Fabian Espindola 32’)
Substitutes Not Used: Ryan Meara, Marius Obekop, Ibrahim Sekagya, Michael Bustamante, Peguy Luyindula
FC Dallas (10-9-10, 40 points) – Raul Fernandez, Matt Hedges, Kellyn Acosta, Jair Benitez (Michel 88’), George John, Andrew Jacobson, Jackson (Mauro Diaz 65’), Fabian Castillo, David Ferreira, Erick (Kenny Cooper 82’), Blas Perez
Substitutes Not Used: Chris Seitz, Zach Loyd, Stephen Keel, Je-Vaughn Watson
Referee: Matthew Foerster
Referee’s Assistants: Adam Wienckowski, Corey Rockwell
4th Referee: Mark Geiger
Attendance: 18,976
