Deep in the heart of Texas, the Red Bulls withstood the heat and a hot Austin FC attack to leave with all three points after a blockbuster match featuring seven total goals.
Due to a congested MLS and Open Cup schedule, the Red Bulls entered the match with a rotated starting lineup. 2022 Homegrown signings Serge Ngoma and Daniel Edelman were handed their first career MLS starts, while players like Dru Yearwood were handed their first start in over a month.
The first ever meeting between the two clubs was definitely a can't-miss affair. Both entered the match near the top of their respective conferences and both were trying to capture a statement win.
The Red Bulls found the back of the net twice in the beginning stages of the match, but both were deemed to be offsides. New York did end up making the breakthrough through a Ngoma goal, the second of his MLS career.
Yearwood would then double the advantage, before Austin would get one back through Sebastian Driussi in first-half stoppage time.
In the second half, the Red Bulls would continue their offensive rampage through goals by Cameron Harper and Tom Barlow, making the score 4-1.
Both players were substitutes whose goals would be the difference between getting three points and none. Harper would finish the match with a goal and assist.
New York would hold off a late charge from Austin, who made it a 4-3 game but would fail to find an equalizer.
The win would be one of nine Red Bulls wins on the road in the 2022 season, the second most in the league. The loss would be one of only three that Austin would suffer at home all season.
The Red Bulls were considered underdogs with a rotated lineup, but they came through with the three points against a tough opponent on the road through contributions from throughout the roster.
