The Red Bulls enter their second bye week of the young season atop the Eastern Conference, with seven points through three games, including four points in two road contests – an opening-day draw in Kansas City, and last weekend’s 2-1 win over Crew SC.
That seven points has them atop the MLS Eastern Conference standings, despite playing fewer matchesthan their competition. Their next opponent, D.C. United, sit in second with six points through three matches, while New York City FC and Orlando each hold five points through four. New England and Columbus round out the playoff spots with four and three points, respectively, through four games.
On Monday, head coach Jesse Marsch told Extra Time Radio that the team is “ahead of schedule,” from where he thought they’d be – a good sign for a team stashing points while keeping games in hand on the rest of the field.
1,000 UP FOR GOAL OF THE WEEK
Mike Grella’s game-winning chip of Columbus ‘keeper Steve Clark has been nominated for MLS Goal of the Week.
The Glen Cove, N.Y. native’s first MLS goal will go down as the 1,000th in team history across all competitions – 877 in MLS regular season, 49 in MLS Playoffs, 64 in U.S. Open Cup, three in Champion’s League, and seven in the one venture into international club competition – the Copa Merconorte in 2001.
SAVE BY ROBLES
The Red Bulls ‘keeper is up for his third save of the week award in as many games after making another brilliant stop on Kei Kamara in the 2-1 win over Columbus.
In the 58th minute Kamara received the ball at the penalty spot with his back to goal. After faking to his right, the Columbus forward wrong-footed his defender by turning left, and blasted a quick shot. Robles was in good position, and was able to react in a split second to turn away the chance and preserve the one-goal lead.
PLAYER OF THE MONTH
Red Bulls forward Bradley Wright-Phillips has been named a finalist for MLS Player of the Month after starting the season with two goals and two assists through three games.
Wright-Phillips found the back of the net just once in the first six games of last season before exploding for eight goals over the next four, including two hat tricks. Wright-Phillips stayed hot for the rest of 2014 – Red Bulls fans are hoping that trend continues through the 2015 campaign.
BWP, PERRINELLE BEST OF THE WEEK
Wright-Phillips and center back Damien Perrinelle were also named to the MLS Team of the Week for Week 4. Perrinelle has anchored a shifting back four that has only conceded one goal in the last two games despite having veterans Ronald Zubar and Roy Miller sidelined with injury.
FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS
After a second early-season meeting with D.C., the Red Bulls return home for a Friday night meeting against San Jose on April 17th. The Earthquakes currently sit third in the West on the strength of two wins – notably a gutsy 3-2 road win at Seattle after being reduced to 10 men.
- Tickets for that contest are available by visiting www.newyorkredbulls.com/tickets
