Red Bulls vs Philadelphia Union: 3 things we learned
By Harvey Cruz
Neither side could score in an entertaining 0-0 draw at Red Bull Arena. Here are three things we learned.
The New York Red Bulls came into the Saturday contest the hotter team. Winners of four straight, they were seen as favorites against the Philadelphia Union following their 3-1 statement win over Atlanta last weekend.
But the Union were also in good form, winners of their previous two coming into this one. The Red Bulls, as expected started out the better of the two teams. They used their signature pressing game to create shots, but were unable to convert.
Bradley Wright-Phillips was unable to add to his eight goals this season and was largely stifled for large parts of the game. So was Kaku, who couldn’t produce the final pass necessary thanks to Union’s timely tackling.
Philadelphia had a golden chance to steal three points on the road, winning a penalty in the 53rd minute. Kemar Lawrence was called for a handball inside the box, referee Ted Unkle pointed to the spot where CJ Sapong stepped up to take. But even after sending Meara the wrong way, Sapong got too cute and dragged his penalty wide of the mark.
In the end, both teams were unable to finish the chances they created and leave with a point apiece. Here are three things we learned.
3. Andre Blake and Ryan Meara were excellent
Meara stepped in for Luis Robles for the second straight week. He didn’t disappoint, in fact he produced big saves similar to the ones he had against Atlanta.
His biggest moments against Union all came in the first half. In the 29th minute, the Union’s Marcus Epps raced past the defense and had a shot on goal. However, Meara got off his line to get low, close down the angle and parry the shot away.
It was one of the few times Union were able to get behind New York’s defense which produced a clear opportunity on goal. With Robles still nursing a knee injury, the Red Bulls can only be thankful they still have Meara to step in and deliver. A clean sheet will give him more confidence going forward.
On the other side was Blake, who produced a man-of-the-match display. The Jamaican was instrumental in shutting down New York’s high powered offense. Wright-Phillips was able to put the ball past him on one occasion was called back for offside. Aside from that, nobody on the Red Bulls had an answer for Blake.
It was the perfect response on the road, a point against one of the hottest teams in MLS. A game that’ll give Union much needed momentum heading into their next game, as they’re now unbeaten in their last three. New York is now unbeaten in six games but will feel disappointed not to get all three points at home.