COLUMBUS, OH (August 10, 2013) – The New York Red Bulls had their four-game unbeaten streak snapped, falling 2-0 to the Columbus Crew Saturday night at Crew Stadium. After entering the weekend atop the Eastern Conference, New York (11-8-5, 38 pts.) moved back into second place, just one point behind leader Sporting Kansas City (11-7-6, 39 pts.).
With both teams separated by just one point, the Red Bulls return home on Aug. 17, when they battle the third place Philadelphia Union (10-7-7, 37 points) at 8:00 PM at Red Bull Arena. Tickets for Red Bulls matches are available by calling 1.877.RBSOCCER or logging onto www.newyorkredbulls.com.
Both teams had chances to score in the opening 10 minutes with Columbus’ Bernardo Anor firing just wide before Red Bulls defender Brandon Barklage hitting it on the volley off target from outside of the box.
New York goalkeeper Luis Robles was the standout Red Bull in the first half and made a good save on Dominic Oduro, smothering the Crew player’s shot at the near post in the 14th minute. Robles then came up trumps for the Red Bulls seven minutes before the break, diving spectacularly to get his hands on a Chad Marshall header following a Federico Higuain free kick.
The Red Bulls were inches from going ahead in the 60th minute. The ball was slipped to Jonny Steele at the top of the box and the Red Bull ripped it towards net. Columbus goalkeeper Matt Lampson was able to get a piece of the blast and the ball slammed off the crossbar.
Moments later, referee Allen Chapman awarded the Crew a penalty kick after a New York foul in the box. Higuain stepped up and ripped it home to make it 1-0. Steele almost answered immediately for the visitors, being teed up by Espindola and knocking it wide right. Lampson then made a terrific save on Espindola, diving to his left to parry the Argentine’s header in the 74th minute.
Higuain doubled the Crew’s lead with 14 minutes left, as the Crew forward was played through down the right channel by Wil Trapp and he chipped it over Robles and into the back of the net.
New York was without the services of Thierry Henry (Achilles inflammation), Tim Cahill (PCL tear), Kosuke Kimura (concussion) and Lloyd Sam (left quadriceps strain) due to injury. Red Bulls head coach Mike Petke served a one-game suspension away from the sidelines Saturday after being ejected in the Red Bulls’ match against Sporting Kansas City on Aug. 3.
New York Red Bulls 0, Columbus Crew 2
August 10, 2013 – Crew Stadium – Columbus, OH
MLS Regular Season
Scoring Summary:
CLB: Federico Higuain 6 (penalty kick) 62’
CLB: Federico Higuain 7 (Wil Trapp 1) 76’
Disciplinary Summary:
CLB: Wil Trapp (caution) 55’
CLB: Dominic Oduro (caution) 67’
NY: Ibrahim Sekagya (caution) 88'
New York Red Bulls (11-8-5, 38 points) – Luis Robles, Brandon Barklage, Jamison Olave, Markus Holgersson, Roy Miller, Eric Alexander (Ruben Bover 81'), Dax McCarty, Ibrahim Sekagya, Jonny Steele (Marius Obekop 70’), Fabian Espindola, Peguy Luyindula (Andre Akpan 71’)
Substitutes Not Used: Ryan Meara, Matt Miazga, Connor Lade, Michael Bustamante
Columbus Crew (7-11-5, 26 points) – Matt Lampson, Chad Barson, Josh Williams, Chad Marshall, Agustin Viana, Dominic Oduro, Wil Trapp, Bernardo Anor, Justin Meram (Kevan George 81'), Federico Higuain (Tony Tchani 88'), Jairo Arrieta (Ethan Finlay 78’)
Substitutes Not Used: Daniel Withrow, Ben Speas, Konrad Warzycha, Ryan Finley
Referee: Allen Chapman
Referee’s Assistants: Kevin Klinger, Adam Garner
4th Referee: Robert Sibiga
Attendance: 19,080
