The New York Red Bulls had a less then desirable performance Sunday night. They suffered their first loss of the season in a 3-1 defeat to the Seattle Sounders and Red Bull performances were all over the place. A combination of poor passing and poor defending ultimately led to the Red Bulls defeat to the Sounders.
New York Red Bulls vs. Seattle Sounders Player Ratings
Bradley Wright-Phillips: B
Bradley Wright-Phillips is back and in a big way. BWP scored the Red Bulls lone goal against Seattle with a beautiful header that crashed in off the crossbar. That goal marked his 70th in MLS for the Red Bulls. BWP did not score until eight games in last season for New York.
Sal Zizzo: B-
Sal Zizzo had himself another decent game against the Sounders. Zizzo’s beautiful cross in the 57th minute led to BWP’s equalizing header. He continue’s to be the Red Bulls best outside back this season and currently leads the team in assists. Zizzo’s good form comes at a good time when the Red Bulls seem to be struggling to generate any type of attack.
Sacha Kljestan: C-
Kljestan is struggling so far in 2017. The MVP finalist of last season has been a ghost for the Red Bulls this season. Once again, he has struggled to adapt to the 4-2-2-2 formation. He just simply does not have the pace to play out wide in this system. His success has always come being more central. Kljestan is struggling statistically as well, as he has recorded neither a goal or an assist in the first three games of the season. Red Bulls need to adjust tactically as this system just isn’t working for Kljestan.
Damien Perrinelle: D
Sunday was one Damien Perrinelle will want to forget. Perrinelle looked slow the entire night and was unable to keep any tabs on Jordan Morris. His sloppy passing on a poor back pass caused Luis Robles to commit a penalty which lead to the Sounders’ first goal. After a solid first two weeks, this will be one the French Center back will want to forget.
Justin Bilyeu: D
Similar to Perrinelle, Bilyeu’s night was a nightmare. Filling in for Kemar Lawrence leaving the team for personal reasons, Bilyeu struggled in every area. Unable to successfully get forward, poor passing, and poor marking which led to Jordan Morris being wide open to score the second goal for Seattle. Bilyeu looks like he still is not quite ready for first team action for the Red Bulls.
