When Real Salt Lake came into the league in 2005, they did not make the playoffs. New York did make the playoffs, but were bounced by the New England Revolution in the first round.
Things have changed since then. RSL rode their 2009 MLS Cup triumph to a 29-game unbeaten streak at home in MLS, the longest ever. The Red Bulls, with their tradition of prolific strikers, have developed into one of the most feared teams in the league. Yes, age has served these teams well, but that’s not to say that they did not have to square off along the way to establish their dominance.
NewYorkRedBulls.com counts down our favorite five moments from the RBNY/RSL rivalry that has helped forge the two clubs into some of the top teams in the league.
Western Conference
Final – 11/15/08
There’s been only one game between RSL and New York in the playoffs, but what a game it was. The Red Bulls, who made the playoffs on the very last possible day because D.C. United lost to the Columbus Crew, had just knocked out the heavily favored Houston Dynamo in the conference semifinals. Real Salt Lake were the second-to-last team into the playoffs, but were playing in the brand new – and crowded – Rio Tinto Stadium and had just bested 43-point winners Chivas USA.
It was an unlikely final, and unfolded in the most unlikely way. Despite having 24 shots and hitting the post twice, RSL couldn’t get the ball over goalkeeper Danny Cepero’s line as the Red Bulls rode to a 1-0 victory behind a Dave van den Bergh goal. It was a frustrating game if you were a fan in Utah, but it was a triumphant moment for the Red Bulls as they lifted the 2008 Western Conference Championship, their only MLS hardware to date.
The Buddle Game –
8/26/06
Edson Buddle may have only ever scored six goals for the Red Bulls, but the Claret-and-Cobalt were unfortunate enough to be on the receiving end of half of them.
Strangely, Buddle didn’t even start his signature game with New York; he came off the bench early in the second half. But he didn’t need much time to put on a show, breaking a scoreless tie in the 54th minute. Eighteen minutes later, he had a hat trick. The Red Bulls rode the momentum to a 6-0 thrashing of RSL.
Cinco De Mayo Madness
– 5/5/07
It’s usually safe to assume that having a 3-1 lead with 90 minutes gone means that your team will win. That assumption proved false in the Red Bulls’ last trip to Rice-Eccles Stadium.
In the 90th minute, Jeff Cunningham stroked away a penalty to make the score 3-2. The dagger came just a minute later, when Freddy Adu played an inch perfect ball over the top to substitute Chris Brown. The 2007 season would end up being Brown’s last in MLS, ending his career with 27 goals in nine years. The Red Bulls were unlucky to see what surely must have been one of his best. Taking control of the ball and spinning back around his defender, his left footed curler drilled the inside of the far corner and over the line to give RSL the 3-3 draw in stunning fashion.
Fourth of July
Fireworks – 7/4/05
The first game between RSL and New York ended 0-0. Their second game, a July 4 matchup in Utah, was slightly more dramatic.
Mike Magee scored for the visitors in the 48th minute to take a 2-0 lead. Far from laying down, however, RSL pulled one back half an hour later, and with 90 minutes gone, earned a penalty kick that striker – and current RSL head coach – Jason Kreis converted. The match that had looked to be a stroll for New York ended in a draw, and the 20,121 fans in attendance were rewarded for taking time out of their holiday.
Kreis Strikes… Again
– 4/15/06
The very next game between New York and RSL ended much the same way. The Red Bulls had drawn all three of their games to that point in the season. Traveling out to Utah would be a burden, yes, but playing a team that had gone 0-2-1 over the course of the season provided an excellent opportunity for the Red Bulls to get their first win.
There would be no such luck. Amado Guevara scored for the Red Bulls in the 77th minute, giving New York a late lead. But again Kreis would answer back for the Claret-and-Cobalt, striking in the 89th minute to give New York their fourth tie in as many games.
