ANALYSIS – As the rain poured down again on Red Bull Arena, the New York Red Bulls faced Inter Miami CF. Both squads were missing pieces between injuries and International Duty, but the show must go on. A trio of goals from Lewis Morgan, along with Wiki Carmona’s first goal of the 2024 campaign, launched New York past Miami for their second home shutout of the season.
Red Bulls Shutout Inter Miami CF in Harrison, New Jersey
Lewis Morgan Hat-Trick
Bradley Wright-Phillips
Amado Guevara
Clint Mathis
𝗟𝗲𝘄𝗶𝘀 𝗠𝗼𝗿𝗴𝗮𝗻.An encore for the fourth player club history to log multiple hat tricks 🎩🎩 pic.twitter.com/bK630BCFXi
— New York Red Bulls (@NewYorkRedBulls) March 24, 2024
Scottish midfielder Lewis Morgan has already proven his recovery is going well. Although he has yet to play a full match, he has made the most of his minutes on the pitch this season. In his longest game so far in this campaign, he put in a shift that yielded three goals. Starting in just the third minute, Morgan collected the ball flicked on by Dante Vanzeir and sent it to the far corner of the net. In the drenching rain, Morgan needed a few seconds to settle the ball, which could have given Miami a chance to regain their bearings. His second and third goals were similar to his first, low lasers past Miami GK CJ Dos Santos. But Morgan will be the first to say that there is more work to be done. “I’ve got really really high expectations of myself,” he told the press in a post-match press conference. “I think my performances… will take a jump over the next few weeks.”
READ MORE: Red Bulls with a win on the road
Dante Vanzeir Club Record Assists
Not only was Vanzeir there for Morgan’s goals, he is also credited with the assist for Wiki Carmona’s first goal of 2024. Coming to Morgan’s aid at the top of the six-yard box, he passed it off to Carmona who slammed it home. The first Red Bull to tally four assists in a single game, Vanzeir has also had much to overcome. His injuries took him out of the lineups last season only after his suspension for violation of the MLS Code of Conduct. Vanzeir may still be trying to win back the hearts of New York fans.
READ MORE: Both squads requested postponement- more from Goal.com
Last Word on Red Bull Shutout Win
🌧️ BULLS BROUGHT THE RAIN 🌧️#REDNEVERQUITS | @AffinityFCU pic.twitter.com/PQGzRbIqrb
— New York Red Bulls (@NewYorkRedBulls) March 23, 2024
Overall, RBNY appeared to be the more cohesive unit on the pitch. They were able to play the way they want: forcing turnovers and pushing up the field. IMCF preferred to play shorter from the back. While they were able to make some threats on goal, the finishing was lackluster and stretched. Uruguay international Luis Suarez, who put in a full match, could only manage a yellow card for his efforts. When the visitors appeared to score late in the second half, the goal was waived off by VAR. Red Bull defender Dylan Nealis was fouled in the buildup to the goal, the referee explained after the match.
The New York Red Bulls travel to Florida to face Orlando SC on Saturday, March 30, 2024.
Photo Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports, of a Lewis Morgan Headshot and a Leonardo Frugis Afonso Headshot, on March 23, 2024.
