CHESTER, Pa. – To say it’s been a long summer for the New York Red Bulls would be something of an understatement.
Since returning from the Copa America break on June 15, here’s a quick look at what the Red Bulls endured over the past month.
Wednesday-Sunday-Wednesday-Saturday-Wednesday-Sunday-Wednesday-Sunday- Wednesday-Sunday.
Completing their tenth game in just 32 days, the guys will finally have a full week off following their 2-2 draw with the Philadelphia Union on Sunday night.
Here are my three takeaways from a wild one in Chester.
Super Sacha
On the night he was selected to the 2016 AT&T MLS All-Star Game, midfielder Sacha Kljestan showed just why he is considered amongst the league’s elite.
Tying a career-high with his first-half brace, Kljestan propelled New York to a 2-0 lead against the high-flying Union.
Scoring his first in the 27th minute, the Red Bulls were able to take advantage of some sloppy defensive play thanks to their high press. Some good work by Bradley Wright-Phillips to win the ball back started the move before slipping the ball forward for Kljestan, who deposited the calmest of finishes past Union goalkeeper Andre Blake.
Kljestan would double the advantage just before the stroke of halftime courtesy of yet another set piece goal. Striking one from around 30 yards out, some set piece deception (with some help from a deflection) saw the ball ricochet into the back of the net.
“Bradley played me a perfect pass,” said Kljestan of his first goal. “I just had to take a touch and put it in the corner.
“The second one is obviously fortunate because it takes a deflection and Andre Blake is wrong-footed.”
After being rested midweek, Kljestan shined on the national stage as he has so often for New York since his acquisition ahead of the 2015 season.
“I thought he made a lot of good plays,” head coach Jesse Marsch said. “He really controlled the flow of the game in the first half. He deserves to be on the All-Star team. He’s had a really good year and been our best player. He’s been a big factor for us.”
Déjà vu
If the ending to Sunday’s match felt familiar, you’re hardly alone in your thinking.
In their second consecutive trip to Talen Energy Stadium, a first half lead was wiped out after conceding two goals on the other side of the break. This time, however, the Red Bulls managed to hold on for a valuable road point.
In recent weeks, New York has struggled to close out games on the road, a trend that needs to be rectified sooner rather than later.
"Until we figure out how to deal with some of these moments, it's going to feel like a long year," Marsch said. "On the road we just find ways to shoot ourselves in the foot. We've gotten leads, we've played well for major stretches, we've been the better team for major stretches, and we've walked away with very few results."
Just as was the case in their U.S. Open Cup loss a few weeks ago, Union midfielder Chris Pontius ran rampant and was the catalyst for both Philadelphia goals on the evening.
“We made mistakes,” Kljestan added. “We’ve made the mistakes we’ve made in the past. Chris Pontius scores the exact same way he scored against us last time. We aren’t learning from our mistakes. It’s going to be a long season if we don’t learn from our mistakes. We don’t manage the game well up a man. We had to go to five at the back because we weren’t getting the job done defensively.”
While it may seem tough to swallow in the aftermath, a road point against a top team like the Union should serve the Red Bulls well down the road.
“If there is any sort of silver lining, it’s that we got a point on the road against a very good team that has been very successful playing at their place,” goalkeeper Luis Robles said. “There are some points of concern that we will address during the week, but right now I’m just going to focus on the fact that we a got a point.”
NYCFC Next
The Red Bulls will finally have a full week of preparation before their next match, and they’ll certainly need it.
On Sunday afternoon, Easter Conference leaders New York City FC come to down in the rubber match of the New York Derby. Leading league with six wins away from home, the Red Bulls will certainly have their work cut out for them.
“This is what being the New York Red Bulls is,” Marsch said of yet another big matchup. “I feel like every weekend team play really well against us and put everything they have into it; whether it’s D.C., New England, Philly, obviously New York City, everyone throughout the East.”
Following a frustrating draw, the Red Bulls will have to put the disappointment of two dropped points in the rearview in order to get ready for what could be a top of the table clash at Red Bull Arena.
“We have to do all the little things in training to get ourselves back,” Kljestan added. “We know it’s a rivalry game, so it’s a big one. We lost to NYCFC last time and they’re ahead of us in the standings, so I don’t think we need any extra motivation. We just need to be up and ready for that game.”
