Jesse Marsch tried to prepare for the heat and humidity of central Florida. He changed training times on Tuesday and Wednesday from 10:30 a.m. to noon, but it was cool the first day and rained the next. But after the Red Bulls defeated Orlando City, 2-0, Saturday night in front of 33,518 at the Citrus Bowl, it was clear there was nothing the coach could have done to simulate the conditions.
“The humidity really sapped us,” Marsch said. “As much as it sapped us physically, it really took its toll on us in terms of staying tuned in, and the mentality of staying committed to playing the way we want to play. It was a little bit of an odd night for us in that respect. To come away with three points in a game where we didn't play our best, we won ugly. That is a big step in the right direction for us because we haven't managed to do that this year. Still, even though we didn't play our best, we feel very positive about getting the result.”
The Red Bulls (8-6-5) used an early goal by Sacha Kljestan and a late strike by Mike Grella for their third victory on the road this season, a result that vaulted them into second place in the Eastern Conference, six points behind D.C. United with three games in hand.
The game turned in the 32nd minute when Orlando City’s Cyle Larin received a straight red card for a tackle on Kljestan. It was a questionable decision by referee Fortis Bazakos, as replays revealed the tackle was not as harsh as it may have appeared.
“You can't say that Cyle Larin went in with malicious intent to hurt somebody,” said Orlando City coach Adrian Heath, who was ejected in the 74th minute, the result of comments toward officials. “There is a big difference. The players know when people are trying to hurt them.”
Still, it was a huge break for the Red Bulls, who were already having trouble with the playing conditions. The temperature was 83 degrees at kickoff, with 77 percent humidity.
“Coming into the game we knew it was going to be very hot and humid,” defender Matt Miazga said. “It took a toll on our bodies so we kind of let back a little. The second half I thought we did the job well. We kept the ball moving and limited their chances. And it was good that we got the second goal in the second half. Overall, I thought it was a good performance, not our best obviously, but definitely moving in the right direction.”
The Red Bulls already had the lead when Larin was ejected thanks to a brilliant strike by Kljestan. Dax McCarty, who grew up just 10 minutes from the Citrus Bowl in the Orlando suburb of Winter Park, played the ball to Kljestan, who found room on the left side. With no one closing the space, Kljestan drove a shot from 23 yards that sailed into the upper right corner for his third goal of the season.
The Red Bulls should have doubled the lead in the 38th minute, but defender Damien Perrinelle was called for a foul as he leaped over a defender to head home a free kick.
With Larin ejected, Orlando City moved midfielder Kaka up as a lone striker, and the Brazilian caused problems for the Red Bulls defense with his passing and field vision. Still, central defenders Perrinelle and Miazga were able to shut down the league’s fourth-leading scorer. The Red Bulls are 8-1-3 when the two are in the starting lineup.
“All four of them are fantastic,” Grella said of the entire Red Bulls back line. “You know there is always room for improvement, but we’re very good at the back four. We stuck in there and came up with three points at the end of 90 minutes.”
Orlando City (6-8-6) seemed to play even harder with 10 men. They carried the action a good portion of the game and caused some problems in the box, but Red Bulls goalkeeper Luis Robles, who finished with four saves, was able to collect his fifth shutout of the season and 24th of his career.
Robles also played 90 minutes for the 91st straight game, surpassing Jimmy Nielsen to move into second place in that category among goalkeepers. Only Kevin Hartman (112) has more.
“Luis has been great,” Miazga said. “Ever since I joined the club at 17, he's always had my back, he's always helped me by giving me advice. Having him back there I feel very comfortable. He's always had very good communication, good directions, and very good leadership skills. He been a leader for us and he's a great keeper and he kept us in the game today and made some great saves.”
With the Red Bulls playing in the quarterfinals of the U.S. Open Cup on Tuesday, Marsch began pulling key players from the match in the second half. Midfielder Lloyd Sam came off in the 58th minute, forward Bradley Wright-Phillips exited in the 70th minute and Kljestan was replaced with nine minutes to play.
The Red Bulls were still clinging to the 1-0 lead until Grella sealed matters in the 91st minute with another of what has become his trademark. Taking a pass from McCarty on the right, Grella split two defenders to reach the box with exceptional ball control, put another move on defender Aurelien Collin in the box and drove a low shot into the far corner for his fifth goal of the season.
“It is not an easy place to come with the weather conditions,” Grella said. “It was not a pretty game for us, but we got the three points.”
McCarty, who assisted on two goals for the second straight game, relished the opportunity to play in front of his hometown for the first time in his career.
“It was a great experience. Obviously the support that they get down here in Orlando is pretty unbelievable,” he said. “I didn’t even expect it to be half this good. Credit to the fans, the fans make it a really wonderful, exciting atmosphere. That was always fun. Obviously my friends and family came. They were loud. I saw them in the stands. I saw a lot of Red Bulls jerseys, which was nice to see. Three points is just the cherry on top.”
