The New York Red Bulls are absolutely on fire right now. On Saturday night, they welcomed the Montreal Impact to Red Bull Arena and thrashed them by a score of 4-0. Arguably the Red Bulls most dominating match all season, they now find themselves in fourth place in the Eastern Conference. The Red Bulls will return to action next Sunday as they renew the Hudson River Derby. The team will be looking to avenge the 2-0 loss they suffered at Red Bull Arena back in late June.
New York Red Bulls Player Grades vs Montreal Impact
Grades
Daniel Royer: A
Just like the Red Bulls, Royer has been on an absolute tear. He scored twice against Montreal and continues to pop up all over the field in dangerous spots. Royer drew a penalty to score his first, following it up with a blast late in the second half to put the cherry on top. Royer will hate to see the month of July end, as he racked up six goals and one assist this month. This puts his season totals up to ten goals and two assists, just one goal off the team lead.
Jesse Marsch: A
This bit is normally just for players, however Marsch gets an honorary spot here. His tactical changes has completely re-energized this team. The team is playing with speed and confidence that resembles the previous two seasons. After the 4-2-2-2 failure and the predictability of the 4-2-3-1, the team needed a change desperately. The 3-6-1/5-4-1 formation has given this team’s attack the confidence it has been lacking for the first half of the season. In the Red Bulls four-match MLS winning streak, they have outscored their opponents 15-3. Credit has to be given to Marsch for the changes, and it will be interesting to see how successful it will be once teams make adjustments.
Sal Zizzo: B+
This was Zizzo’s best defensive game of the season by far. Recently being the third central defender in this new formation, Zizzo did great job of stifling the Montreal attack. Zizzo deserves high marks for making many key clearances, as well as winning many 50/50 balls in the Red Bulls defensive third.
Michael Murrillo: B
Nothing like scoring your first MLS goal to top off a great stretch of form. After spending a good portion of the season with New York Red Bulls II, Murillo is finally coming into his own. He has been arguably the Red Bulls second best wing back, as well as virtually making the starting right full back spot his. Needing to have wingers with pace and stamina, Murillo will be a vital part of this new formation.
Bradley Wright-Phillips: B-
BWP had himself a quite night for most of the match. Montreal did a good job at limiting his chances in front of goal. However, off a beautiful Alex Muyl cross, BWP was able to put a foot on the volley and score. Once again proving he only needs one solid look at goal to make the opposition pay. The goal was BWP’s 80th career MLS goal for the Red Bulls and his 11th of this season.
