HARRISON, N.J. (June 24, 2015) – After a turbulent first half, the Red Bulls are up one goal and one man. New York is currently leading Real Salt Lake, 1-0.
The Red Bulls got things rolling from the start, earning two corners in the first three minutes.
New York opened the scoring in the fourth minute, when Bradley Wright-Phillips played in Kemar Lawrence, who is fresh off three matches for the Reggae Boyz in Copa America. Lawrence showed a burst of speed down the wing and cut a ball in into the box. Sean Davis got a touch to direct the ball across the face of goal, and Mike Grella finished the tap-in at the back post. The goal was Grella’s fourth of the season, and it was the first MLS assist for both Lawrence and Davis.
Red Bulls goalkeeper Luis Robles made two big saves in the first half, swallowing up a headed attempt from RSL forward Devon Sandoval in the seventh minute, and blocking a low shot from the left side off the foot of Jaoa Plata in the 29th minute.
Salt Lake was reduced to 10 men in the 41st minute. Robles grabbed another free kick attempt and delivered a long throw, sending Brazilian midfielder Felipe on his way. Salt Lake captain Javier Morales took Felipe down, denying him an opportunity towards goal. Morales received a straight red card and Salt Lake will be down a man for the remainder of the match.
New York outshot Salt Lake 11-3 and had nine corner kicks to Salt Lake’s 3 in the first 45 minutes.
