HARRISON, N.J. (August 15, 2015) – The New York Red Bulls enter the half with a 1-0 lead over Toronto FC behind a 27th minute goal from Bradley Wright-Phillips.
Wright-Phillips put the home team ahead in the 27th minute. BWP benefitted from some hard work from Mike Grella, who took possession between two defenders at the top of the box, turned and lifted a pass to put Wright-Phillips in on goal, where he was able to beat TFC ‘keeper Joe Bendik for his 11th of the season.
Grella now has an assist in each of the Red Bulls’ last three games, and has a share of the team lead with six on the season.
Toronto had a chance early, with point-leader Sebastian Giovinco winning possession at midfield and sliding a ball through New York’s center backs to a streaking Marco Delgado, but a charging Luis Robles forced him to shoot for the far post, and the shot went wide.
Robles was out of his net again in the 37th minute, beating Giovinco to a loose ball to deny the Italian a breakaway opportunity.
Toronto captain Michael Bradley was shown a yellow card in the 23rd minute for a challenge on Felipe. Jozy altidore was also shown a caution in the 37th minute.
Both captains would be booked in the opening 45, as McCarty picked up a yellow for taking down Giovinco in the 30th minute.
The Red Bulls led with just over 63% of the possession in the first half. New York also had the edge in shots (6-3) and shots on goal (2-1). New York also took four corner kicks to Toronto’s two. Both Robles and Bendik made one save in the opening 45 minutes.
