HARRISON, N.J. ( RBNY vs. Toronto FC ) – The New York Red Bulls welcomed Toronto FC to Red Bull Arena with a warm 2-0 defeat. Their last meeting, only seventeen days ago, resulted in a 3-1 loss at BMO Field. This is the second of two home matches for the Red Bulls. Last Saturday the team a loss to the Columbus Crew.
RBNY vs. Toronto FC: Red Bulls win 2-0
RBNY vs. Toronto FC turned into one of the better matches of the weekend. Here is how it all went down:
Summer Signing
Defender Rece Buckmaster made his first start for the Red Bull first team. He was previously loaned in June in the team’s failed Open Cup run. Buckmaster’s signing was announced just hours before he made his regular-season debut. Panamanian international Michael Amir Murillo spent the evening on the bench. Buckmaster went the full 90 in his debut.
Team Attack
The Red Bulls started the match in a more cohesive manner than recent matches. Three corner kicks in rapid succession within the first ten minutes of the match put RBNY on the front foot. Derrick Etienne, Jr. and Brian White had opportunities in the box, but Toronto goalkeeper Quentin Westberg kept the ball out of the net. Toronto dominated possession early on, often a hallmark of the Red Bull high press. Daniel Royer and Alejandro “Kaku” Romero Gamarra pressed the goal as well, and Marc Rzatkowski made a shot from just outside the 18-yard box.
Toronto Assert Themselves
TFC and USMNT attacker Jozy Altidore made a strike in the 20th minute but was called back for offside. A quick video-assisted review confirmed the offside call, and play continued. Another chance came at the half-hour mark for Toronto, with Alejandro Pozuelo sending the ball over the crossbar. Overall, the momentum was shifting towards the visitors. Another strike from Pozuelo hit the side post as halftime neared. Jacob Shaffelburg had a shot on goal punched away by goalkeeper Luis Robles. The first half ended 0-0.
Romero Gamarra Opens Scoring
In the 55th minute, Kaku outmaneuvered a defender and crossed the ball on the face of the goal. A light deflection from TFC’s Chris Mavinga sent the ball in to open the scoring. Royer had an opportunity to double the lead with a penalty kick, following Rzatkowski’s takedown in the box. His shot skied over Westberg. Royer’s next chance a moment later went just over the crossbar. A pair of yellow cards (Casseres 68′, Aaron Long 70′) broke the momentum for New York. Toronto defender Justin Morrow was given a red card just before the end of regulation. With a second goal from defender Kemar Lawrence, New York powered through the final minutes of the match to secure a 2-0 win at home.
What’s Next?
The Red Bulls travel to Los Angeles to take on Carlos Vela and LAFC next Sunday.
