NYRB Playoff Stretch

(Newark, New Jersey 5:45 p.m.) – The New York Red Bulls took their talents away from home and beat the Philadelphia Union on their home turf this past Sunday. It was a chilly one and especially, a chippy game. The two adversaries did not want to give up the three points and the U needed a goal to end their goalless streak against the Red Bulls. The Red Bulls have held the Union without conceding a goal in a total of 360 minutes during league play.

With playoffs around the corner, both teams did not let off the gas. The two sides were aggressive with their challenges and showed no sign of mercy. During the course of the game, both teams received a handful of yellow cards for unsportsmanlike conduct, but what stood out the most, was the bench clearing brawl right before the end of the first half. The instigators of this large confrontation involved both Kaku and Auston Trusty.

After the second half commenced, the flow of the game sped up and the fans were regaled with a 1-0 goal, that put their rivals ahead. With a penalty slotted away by Kaku, the Red Bulls led 1-0 in the 69th minute, which eventually won the Red Bulls the three points away from home.

Can the Red Bulls continue their hot streak into the playoffs? They have won four straight and trail Atlanta United by one point for the Supporters’ Shield and the Eastern Conference lead. With Chris Armas, their chief in command, the New York Red Bulls have a promising playoff stretch ahead of them, in journey of the MLS Cup.