It was all about the New York Red Bulls as they discarded 10-man Inter Miami with a 4-0 victory. Patryk Klimala got the party started with a smooth finish, before Omir Fernandez doubled the lead before halftime. Fabio would score a pair of headers to put the result beyond any doubt. Inter Miami didn’t do themselves any favors, losing Jorge Figal to two yellow cards inside 37 minutes. The Red Bulls win their second game on the road all season.
New York Red Bulls overwhelm 10-man Inter Miami in 4-0 victory
Team News
Inter Milan make a couple of changes to the team that won away at Toronto FC. Blaise Matuidi and Brek Shea are inserted in midfield, Jay Chapman and Kelvin Leerdam are on the bench. Gonzalo Higuain is back leading the line, Indiana Vassilev makes way and is on the bench.
New York also tweaks things after their bad loss at Columbus Crew. Andres Reyes is back in defense, Andrew Gutman and Kyle Duncan are on the bench. Omir Fernandez starts his second consecutive game, along side Fabio and Patryk Klimala, with Wikelman Carmona behind them.
Inter Miami lineup: Nick Marsman; Leandro Pirez, Jorge Figal, Christian Makoun; Lewis Morgan, (C) Gregore, Blaise Matuidi, Brek Shea; Rodolfo Pizarro, Robbie Robinson, Gonzalo Higuain
New York Red Bulls lineup: Carlos Coronel; John Tolkin, Sean Nealis, Andres Reyes; Omir Fernandez, (C) Sean Davis, Dru Yearwood, Tom Edwards; Patryk Klimala, Wikelman Carmona, Fabio
First Half: New York scores two goals, Inter Miami down to 10 men
The Red Bulls – who started great with their pressing, nearly scored the opening goal. Klimala looked to have slid one in but Makoun made a brilliant goal line clearance.
While Miami slowly gained some momentum, the Red Bulls deservedly opened the scoring in the 18-minute. After a great ball win in midfield by Davis, he passed it to Carmona. The Venezuelan laid out a great through ball to Klimala who calmly scored. He’s scored in back to back games.
G O A L
Wiki with the perfect pass, Patryk with the perfect finish.
We're up early in Florida! @Audi | #RBNY pic.twitter.com/dsFrPndm5C
— New York Red Bulls (@NewYorkRedBulls) September 17, 2021
Pirez would earn a yellow card shortly after for taunting Klimala after fouling him. New York would double the lead in the 31-minute. Off a long throw in by Tom Edwards, the ball would bounce a few times in the box until Omir Fernandez headed it in from point blank range. His first goal of the season in his second straight start.
Headed home! Omir Fernandez finds the bouncing ball and smashes it into the back of the net! @Audi | #RBNY pic.twitter.com/GqfdWoxhD4
— New York Red Bulls (@NewYorkRedBulls) September 17, 2021
Jorge Figal, who was booked earlier in the match, was sent off with a second yellow card in the 38-minute. An off the ball incident in which Figal caught Klimala as he was making his run. It gave referee Guido Gonzales no choice but to send off the Argentine. As a result, Kelvin Leerdam replaces Robinson. Higuain also earned a yellow card for fouling Coronel just before the halftime whistle. Halftime: Inter Miami 0-2 Red Bulls. Sixteen shots for New York, six on target illustrates the dominant first half. Just two shots, and one on target for Miami in a 45 minute period no one could’ve foreseen.
Second Half: Red Bulls add two more in sensational victory
Andrew Gutman entered the match for New York, in place of Carmona. Indiana Vassilev also entered the match, in place of Morgan.
Tom Edwards would be booked for dissent. Cristian Casseres came on in place of Sean Davis, Kyle Duncan also on for Tom Edwards. Jay Chapman entered the match for Gregore.
New York would add a third. Fabio rose highest to power his header in off the far post from a corner kick. Tolkin with the assist, and the Red Bulls score three goals for the first time this season. Klimala would be subbed off for Tom Barlow.
Higuain and Pizarro both made way for Julian Carranza and Federico Higuain. Cameron Harper sees playing time as he comes on for Fernandez. New York would cap off a great game with a fourth goal. Duncan would serve up a cross onto the head of Fabio for his second header, and second goal of the match. It would end: Inter Miami 0-4 New York Red Bulls.
Three takeaways from Inter Miami vs New York Red Bulls
What a night for the Red Bulls. A tremendous first half showing headlined by the goalscorers, both took their goal very well. Klimala scoring in back to back games is a huge confidence lifter for him, his goal showcased why New York wanted his services. As for Omir, he’s been begging for a chance, and has so far made the most of it. But the Red Bulls didn’t take their foot off the gas pedal, scoring four goals for the first time since September 2020.
Inter Miami couldn’t get going from the start. Nobody could’ve predicted this, this was quite a way to erase a six-game unbeaten run. Their last shutout loss was against NYCFC last month. Did they overlook the Red Bulls, ahead of a big match against Nashville next week? It’s possible, a win would’ve seen Phil Neville’s men tied for fourth place in the East. But from the opening whistle, Miami had nothing for the Red Bulls. They will miss key players in a key stretch against Nashville, Atlanta and Portland.
Three goals in a much-needed Red Bulls performance and win. Almost thirty shots for the Red Bulls, just obscene. A second road victory all season keeps their playoff hopes alive for the meantime. The performances from everyone made this a fun watch for a Red Bulls fan, something that’s been missing as they now snap a three game winless streak. Up next is a litmus test-week, with two games against NYCFC up next.
