Saturday Night September 30, 2023, maybe the one that got away for the 2023 edition of the New York Red Bulls squad. With a chance to claim three points and propel themselves into the 2023 MLS Playoffs, it was the match that got away as the home side lost to the Chicago Fire 1-0.
Wearing the newest Freestyle Kit and playing in front of an enthusiastic crowd of 20, 347 there were a ton of positives that are going to be taken from Sunday’s match.
There was the fact that the New York Red Bulls played one of the best First Halfs to date in there 2023 Season, there is the fact that the team led in a ton of statistical categories at the end of the match.
Some of the categories that the Red Bulls led in were shots as they led 18-5 and crosses 14-10. At the half the squad led in possession 50.5-49.6% and in shots 11.
And there was a moment in the First Half of the match that had everyone in Red Bull Arena wringing their hands and groaning in dismay as Defender John Tolkin attempted to cash in on a rebounded scoring opportunity by the team. The ball went into the net, sending everyone in Harrison into a state of Joy just to have the emotions shift in a blink of an eye by an offsides call.
As soon as that whistle tooted into the air the emotions shifted so quickly and the folks at the Red Bull Arena let the officiating crew hear their dismay, as the call was such a close one to be made.
That wasn’t the only close shot for the Red Bulls though, as there were so many close calls throughout the night.
New York Red Bulls fans are encouraged to check out the following photos by: Stacy Podelski/1495Sports
Red Bulls Fans are also encouraged to check out the following audio interviews from after the match:
Head Coach Troy Lesesne shares his thoughts after the team’s loss to Chicago:
Defender Kyle Duncan shares these thoughts:
Another great opportunity came from the play by Omir Fernandez, as he showed some video game style footwork prior to the end of the First Half of play. Then with time ticking away towards Half Tolkin tried yet again to get the first goal for the home side, but that opportunity just went wide of the cage.
With both teams scoreless at the half, it was interesting to see the strategy by both sides as they came out to start the Second. As both Coaches called upon their bench to try to bring a new energy to the pitch.
It was the New York Red Bulls subs that made themselves an impact as Cameron Harper, Dylan Nealis, Cory Burke, Dru Yearwood and a bit of a milestone in Julian Zakrzewski Hall all impressed throughout the night.
As for Chicago, they showed a ton of quality and heart through the match as well and got themselves rewarded in the 64′ as Forward Georgios Koutsias scored the first goal of the night.
From there it was the Red Bulls putting in so many sizzling attempts and the play of Goalkeeper Carlos Coronel that kept them into the game.
There was one moment in particular that was impressive, as just when Burke steps onto the pitch as a sub he instantly paid dividends for his squad and nearly missed the game-tying goal at the 78:12 mark.
At the end of it all though it was the Chicago Fire coming on top and currently sitting in 11th place in the MLS standings with a 9-12-10 mark, the New York Red Bulls, meanwhile are in 12th place with an 8-13-10 record.
There were some milestones in the game, starting with the Chicago Fire as Fabian Herbers made his 100 MLS Start.
As for the New York Red Bulls in showing how talented their developmental squads are around the 80:36-mark Hall made history by becoming the second-youngest player in MLS history to make an appearance. The youngest is Freddy Adu at 14 years and 306 Days.
Another interesting fact is that Hall is the youngest to appear in franchise history joining the likes of Eddie Gavin and Serge Ngoma.
It is going to be an interesting 24 hours for Hall, as he also plays for the New York Red Bulls II squad and they have qualified themselves for MLS NEXT PRO Playoffs and are, in the full circle moment of the day going up against the Chicago Fire FC II at MSU Soccer Park on October 1, 2023 (today).
Hall shares these thoughts on what it was like to make his debut, on how much it meant to play in front of his family, and on what advice he may have gotten prior to stepping onto the pitch at Red Bull Arena:
As for the New York Red Bulls the road to a potential 2023 MLS Playoffs it isn’t going to get any easier for the guys, as up next is a tough road test on October 4 to take on the 2023 MLS Supporters’ Shield Winners FC Cincinnati.
The folks at MLS announced that Cincinnati won the Supporters’ Shield right after the action in Harrison, and it was an award that is well earned as the folks at FC Cincinnati have been one of the top teams in MLS with their 19-4-8 record.
Can the New York Red Bulls translate all the effort and work and positive results into a full match on October 4 or will they once again miss out on the action of the MLS Playoff race, all of that is going to be answered for the squad starting on October 4.
The match between the New York Red Bulls and FC Cincinnati is scheduled to start at 7:30 p.m. with fans wanting to watch the action can do so on the Apple TV website for free.
For more information on the New York Red Bulls fans are encouraged to click on the link seen here: