Soccer

Red Bulls Earn Hard Fought Draw

Red Bulls were the better side on the day, even if the scoreboard did not indicate it.

by
Staff Post
April 27, 2015

Mandatory Credit: Noah K. Murray-USA TODAY Sports

There was a lot on the line Sunday evening when the New York Red Bulls and Los Angeles Galaxy squared off at Red Bull Arena. Points, bragging rights (both between the two teams and their head coaches), and the Red Bulls long unbeaten streak to start the season. This was the first and only meeting of the two sides for this season, and neither wanted to come away empty handed. And neither did.

LA didn’t have their normal star power up front in the lineup (Robbie Keane was out injured). Instead it was 18-year-old Bradford Jamieson IV who would take his place — and he took it in more than just positioning. Jamieson scored his first MLS goal just six minutes into the match when he took the ball into the box, made a sharp cut to the left side, then beat Luis Robles, the Red Bulls goalie, to the short side to make it 1-0 LA.

The Red Bulls would find their way in the second half when Felipe Martins scored the equalizer. New York fired away late at the Galaxy goal but the combination of their net minder Jaime Penedo and a couple of unlucky bounces denied the Red Bulls a shot at all three points. Nonetheless, the draw means the Red Bulls extend their undefeated streak to begin the year to six games. That is good for third in the Eastern Conference with 12 points.

If you’re looking for good omens then here’s one that will make you feel confident in the Red Bulls this season: 16 previous teams before the Red Bulls have gone undefeated in their first five matches and of those 16 all made the playoffs, and three won the MLS Cup.

Overall, the Red Bulls were the better side on the day, even if the scoreboard did not indicate it. They enjoyed 60% overall possession and outshot the Galaxy 14-8. The Red Bulls were very controlled on the ball passing at 78% accuracy which helped them direct the tempo of the match.

The Red Bulls will look to make it seven matches unbeaten when they take on the Colorado Rapids (currently last in the Western Conference) at 7:30 PM on MSG.

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