Head Coach Jesse Marsch was pleased the Red Bulls’ victory over D.C. United, 2-0, and admitted after that game that the positive performance was expected.
“We've gotten fitter, we've gotten sharper, we've gotten better,” Marsch said. “I knew we were going to have a really good performance tonight…it's our job to take care of business at home and make sure that we pick up points.”
The win jumped the Red Bulls into fifth place and ended a two-game losing streak. New York also improved to 2-0-1 on the season in home games.
“We created some good chances tonight which was nice to have, to have some clear cut chances and have the guys bury them,” captain Sacha Kljestan said. “Obviously getting the ball on the set piece helps. Alex Muyl made a great play so that was good, I think the most important thing for us is now three home games and three shutouts.”
Alex Muyl opened the scoring in the 46th minute, and Bradley Wright-Phillips doubled the lead in the 62nd minute.
Saturday also marked the second game this season that the Red Bulls have lined up in the familiar 4-2-3-1 formation. Marsch and the Red Bulls noted after last week’s performance was a positive step in the right direction, and the Red Bulls hit their full stride against D.C.
“Obviously, we have been playing with this [formation] for two years,” Wright-Phillips said. “I think in a way, the performance of the forward is not just down to working hard in the individual performances. It has been better the last two games, it comes down more to individual performances and desire.”
New York returns to action at Red Bull Arena next Saturday, April 22 at 7:30 p.m. against Columbus Crew SC (TV: MSG, STREAM: MSG GO, RADIO: Red Bulls Radio, TICKETS: NewYorkRedBulls.com/tickets).
