BRADENTON, FL. (February 28, 2015) – The New York Red Bulls fell to the Philadelphia Union, 3-1, on Saturday evening in the final game of the IMG Suncoast Pro Classic. Bradley Wright-Phillips scored New York’s lone goal in the 80th minute of the final preseason contest.
The Union got on the board in the second minute when an attempted cross by Andrew Wenger went off the head of Red Bulls center back Ronald Zubar, looping out of the reach of Luis Robles and just inside the back post.
New York responded well, creating chances early and often in the contest. In the 10th minute Mike Grella, attacking from the left wing, found himself played into the penalty area by Sacha Kljestan. Grella cut inside and hit a low blast that Union goalkeeper Rais Mbohli did well to get down to.
Philadelphia doubled its lead in the 32nd minute when a free kick that was headed on-target by Fernando Aristeguieta could not be handled by Robles.
Minutes later the Red Bulls were on the attack again. Strong combination play from Dax McCarty and Lloyd Sam saw McCarty cut into the box with the ball and drive a pass across to an open Grella, who put a chance just wide of the left post.
The third Union goal also came from Wenger, on a shot through traffic that eluded Robles and snuck just inside the far post in the 44th minute.
New York continued to press in the second half, owning the possession as the Union fended off waves of attack.
The Red Bulls nearly found their first marker in the 64th minute, when a Felipe Martins corner kick found Kljestan, but his header from inside six yards rang off the cross bar.
Red Bulls forward Bradley Wright-Phillips finally connected to end the shutout in the 80th minute, finishing off a low cross from midfielder Sal Zizzo inside the six yard box.
New York finishes the IMG tournament in second place with a 2-1-1 record, including wins over Toronto FC and USL side Oklahoma City Energy FC.
The Red Bulls are back in action for the MLS Regular Season opener on Sunday, March 8 at Sporting Kansas City. That match is set to kick off at 7:00 ET on Fox Sports 1.
SCORING SUMMARY
- PHI: Wenger (unassisted) 2’
- PHI: Aristeguieta (Le Toux) 32’
- PHI: Wenger 2 (unassisted) 40’
- NY: Bradley Wright-Phillips (Sal Zizzo) 80’
NY LINEUP: Luis Robles, Chris Duvall, Damien Perrinelle (Matt Miazga, 45’) , Ronald Zubar, Roy Miller CAP, Lloyd Sam (Peguy Luyindula, 69’), Dax McCarty, Sacha Kljestan, Felipe Martins (Sal Zizzo, 69’), Mike Grella (Anatole Abang, 87’), Bradley Wright-Phillips
