We’re revisiting some of the top moments of the Red Bulls’ 2012 season from now until the end of the year. In this installment, we’ll take a look back at the Red Bulls’ final regular season match; a 3-0 win over the Philadelphia Union.
It’s always nice to close out the regular season with a win, but it’s even better when it comes against a team like the Philadelphia Union.
Match Highlights: NY 3, PHI 0
For the first time in the ever-growing rivalry between the two sides, the New York Red Bulls swept the Union during regular season play thanks to a 3-2 win on May 13, a 2-0 win on July 21, and a 3-0 shutout in the regular season finale on Oct. 27.
Each win allowed the Red Bulls to secure a combined nine points against Philly during the 2012 campaign, and the final meeting between the two sides helped New York gain enough ground in the standings to avoid drawing either Chicago or Houston in the Wild Card match.
While Red Bulls fans at home were left to watch ever-so-important (yet incredibly inconvenient) weather updates regarding the impending wrath of Hurricane Sandy, New York was quick to take the lead in the 13th minute after Kenny Cooper converted a penalty kick following a Carlos Valdés foul on Tim Cahill.
In the 35th minute, Thierry Henry helped the Red Bulls double up after he picked apart the Philly defense and lifted a left-footed finish past Union goalkeeper Zac MacMath.
Cooper rounded out the scoring in the 66th minute after he took a Dax McCarty feed and delivered a shot to the far post that left MacMath with little hopes of making the stop. The goal brought Cooper’s regular season total to 18, five of which came in the form of tallies against the Union.
The perfect 3-0 record against the Union in 2012 improved New York’s all-time record against their conference rival to 5-2-0 and set the scene for yet another intense series matchup against Philly in 2013.
