Red Bulls take first Derby
The New York Red Bulls defeated newly-formed neighbor NYC FC on Sunday night at Red Bull Arena, 2-1, on the strength of two goals from Bradley Wright-Phillips. Despite playing with 10 men for the majority of the contest, the Red Bulls were able to undo NYC FC in front of a sold-out crowd at Red Bull Arena
With the win, the Red Bulls improve to 4-1-4 on the season and remain undefeated at home (3-0-2).
BWP opened the inaugural New York derby in style, getting on the end of a Lloyd Sam cross to start the scoring in just the fourth minute. The Englishman found a second in the 52nd minute, this time burying a low cross from midfielder Sacha Kljestan in front of goal.
New York remains near the top of the Eastern Conference, just two points behind New England Revolution and D.C. United. Next up is a trip to Texas to face off with the leaders in the West, FC Dallas, on Friday evening.
BWP, Kemar Lawrence named to MLS Team of the Week
New York Red Bulls forward Bradley Wright-Phillips and left back Kemar Lawrence both earned MLS Team of the Week honors after the Red Bulls’ 2-1 win over NYC FC on Sunday night at Red Bull Arena.
Wright-Phillips, the 2014 MLS Golden Boot winner, now leads New York with five goals on the season. This is his third Team of the Week award through 10 weeks of the MLS season.
Lawrence, a 22-year-old Jamaican international, has become a regular on the Red Bulls’ back line in the early going, and put in another strong performance on Sunday, when the Red Bulls conceded just once and did not allow NYC FC many quality scoring chances, despite being reduced to 10 men just 35 minutes into the game.
BWP4GOTW
Wright-Phillips’ first goal against NYC FC, in just the fourth minute of the New York Derby, is a finalist for MLS Goal of the Week.
With winger Lloyd Sam wreaking havoc down the wing, Wright-Phillips was able to find space inside the penalty area. Sam danced with the ball, cutting back to wrong-foot defender RJ Allen before chipping in a short cross that found BWP alone at the edge of the six yard box. Wright-Phillips connected on a bouncing ball with his first touch, leaving NYC FC ‘keeper Josh Saunders no chance.
Damien Perrinelle nominated for MLS French Player of the Month
New York Red Bulls center back Damien Perrinelle has been nominated for a second-straight French Player of the Month award by Coup Franc MLS.
Perrinelle, a 31-year-old Ligue 1 import, has been a revelation for New York in the early going. After appearing just twice for a total of seven minutes in 2014, Perrinelle has become the anchor of the back line.
After losing center back partner Ronald Zubar to injury on opening day, and Costa Rican international and World Cup vet Roy Miller the following week in training, Perrinelle has been a veteran presence on a backline that features 19-year old center back Matt Miazga, 22-year-old left back Kemar Lawrence and sophomore right back Chris Duvall.
The Red Bulls have allowed just nine goals through nine games, and the team’s +5 goal differential is second best in MLS, behind only Seattle.
Perrinelle won the inaugural Coup Franc award for his play in March.
RED BULLS TRAVEL TO DALLAS
The Red Bulls now turn their attention to FC Dallas. New York will travel across the country to take on Dallas, one of the top teams in MLS, on Friday, May 15. Dallas has opened their season with a 6-2-2 run. It will be another tough test for head coach Jesse Marsch and his team. Following that, New York returns home for a match against rival Philadelphia Union on Sunday, May 24 at RBA.
Academy Update: Red Bulls top national rankings
Last week Grande Sports Academy TeamRank, the comprehensive ranking system for elite club soccer teams nationwide devised by TopDrawerSoccer.com, unveiled the latest national standings with the New York Red Bulls Under-13s and U-16s ranked number one, and the U-14s and U-18s listed number two.
The Red Bulls U-18s suffered their second loss of the season which dropped them to second in the nation, while the U-16s fell for the first time this season, but retained their top spot. The undefeated U-14s and U-13s continued their positive form to remain amongst the best in the country.
On May 2-3, the Red Bulls academy played their first matches of the month against NJSCA and were victorious at all levels, a total of six victories.
