The New York Red Bulls vs. San Jose Earthquakes game was hyped up to be an explosive game and fans out at Red Bull Arena got exactly that. Touting the league’s top three goal scorers on the filed at once, and a NY defense not fully in sync, the game was set to be one of open play. San Jose came into Red Bull Arena not fearing NY’s 13 goal explosion, but respecting it.
Early in the first half, NY would pressure SJ all over the pitch. Not even 5 minutes into the match, Dax McCarty’s pressure paid off when he chested a ball down to Thierry Henry, who slipped the ball by the defense to an onside Kenny Cooper and into the net for an early 1-0 lead. Nine minutes later, SJ’s high pressure would lead to a McCarty giveaway and excellent combination play between SJ’s Wondowlowski, Stephenson, and Baca. The three’s passing would circumvent the NY backline and Baca would beat Meara to tie the game at one goal apiece.
Seven minutes later, Dane Richards used his body to win a 50/50 ball over Shea Salinas, then run down the right side, beating two SJ’s players, and cross the ball not the box. It looked as if Cooper was the original intended target but all he could do was lightly get a boot on it. His light touch, however, set up a beautiful strike from Dax McCarty for his first goal of the season, first as a Red Bull, and a 2-1 lead. The euphoria of a lead would not last long however. In the 35th minute, Ramiro Corrales switched the ball to Steven Beitashour who put a quick ball to the far post and an onrushing Shea Salinas. Salinas just tapped the ball back into play and found a wide-open Chris Wondolowski on the six-yard box, put the ball in the net by way of a diving header.
Things took a turn for the worse in the 42nd minute off a SJ corner kick. Red Bull DP Rafa Marquez bear hugged SJ’s Shea Salinas to the ground. As if that wasn’t enough, as Marquez was rolling off Salinas, he looked back and kicked Salinas in the chest, seemingly breaking his clavicle. Play continued and the ball would be crossed back into the box prompting NY’s Meara and SJ’s Victor Bernardez to go for it. Bernardez came in with a high elbow, the second time of the night after early contact with Cooper, to the back of Meara’s head. Bernardez came down hard and came up injured himself. The game continued to be physical and at times even dirty. Henry had a rash sliding tackle on Wondolowski before Wondo’s goal. Marvin Chavez would see yellow, which could have been red, for a sliding tackle on Roy Miller from behind.
The second half would yield no more goals but plenty of San Jose possession. NY never seemed to be able to get in an offensive rhythm, especially after Miller was subbed off for rookie and short round Connor Lade. Lade did well defensively dealing with the likes of Wondolowski and Marvin Chavez. NY’s defense stepped up to rarely allow a shot to get past their bodies and when they did, the shots were well wide.
It still does not bode well when a team that scored 13 goals in three games struggled to create chances at home. It is also worrying that NY continues to concede goals when they have the lead. A fix in the defensive tactics is needed and will have to come from the thin bench. NY’s offense should bounce back as Henry did have a poor game with some of his worst touches.
(image courtesy of Getty Images)
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