The New York Red Bulls head to the locker room with a 3-1 lead over the New England Revolution after a flurry of early goals. Bradley Wright-Phillips struck twice, and Lloyd Sam once, all in the first 12 minutes of play.
New York got on the board early – as they have done recently – with Wright-Phillips cashing in a short cross from Sam in the fourth minute. The play started with a pass from Felipe in the midfield for Sacha Kljestan. Kljestan slotted a ball through for Sam, and the winger got to the endline, shook his man and put in a short cross that Wright-Phillips was able to direct past New England’s Bobby Shuttlesworth by out-jumping his marker.
It was Sam’s turn to score in the 10th minute. Wright-Phillips put a pass in to Grella at the top of the box. The Long-Island native, operating in tight quarters, put a pass to the feet of Sam, who was able to fire by Shuttlesworth to double the advantage.
Wright-Phillips got his second in the 12th minute. Kljestan picked out Dax McCarty, who played into the path of Wright-Phillips with his first touch. Pure hustle from BWP saw him beat his man and fire a low shot back by Shuttleworth.
The second tally gave BWP his second multi-goal game of the season, and the eighth of his career, moving past Thierry Henry for sole possession of third place on the all-time franchise behind Gio Saverese (10) and Juan Pablo Angel (12).
New England pulled one back in the 37th minute when Andy Dorman finished off a cross from Lee Nguyen.
The home side had two more strong chances right before the end of the half, first with Sam dancing through two defenders and putting a low ball across the goal line that couldn’t be finished, and then again finding the head of Wright-Phillips for a chance that went just wide.
One yellow card was issued in the half, to New England centerback and captain Jose Goncalves in the 35th minute.
The Red Bulls held a statistical edge too, including shots (8-4), shots on goal (4-1). New York owned a shade under 58% of the possession as well.​
