The New York Red Bulls enter the last stretch of regular season games in the lead for the Supporters Shield, which is the trophy given to the team with the best regular season record across all of MLS (Major League Soccer).
The Red Bulls further helped their cause with a pivotal 1-1 tie in a recent match against the Western powerhouse club, the Seattle Sounders, in a rain soaked game out in Seattle. These two teams are neck-and-neck in the race for the Supporters Shield, so it was an important result for the Red Bulls to get a draw in a very difficult place to win against a very good team.
The result of the match in Seattle was made even more impressive by New York because they played without Thierry Henry, their best player, who sat out the game because it was played on artificial turf. Henry has a history of leg and joint injuries, so the team did not want him to sustain an injury playing on an artificial surface this late in the season.
In his absence, Tim Cahill really stepped up for the Red Bulls and had an outstanding effort in the match in Seattle. New York returned home to play host to the New England Revolution last Saturday night, in a game that was crucial for both teams.
Playoff implications
The Revolution came into the match last weekend against the Red Bulls with a chance to still grab one of the playoff spots in the Eastern Conference, most probably the 5th slot, but they would have to play very well in their last three games to get into the MLS Cup Playoffs.
The Red Bulls came into the match needing either a win or a tie to clinch a spot in the playoffs, and are still very much in contention for the Supporters Shield, or at least for first place in the Eastern Conference.
The match was sold out at Red Bull Arena in Harrison, New Jersey. I watched it at home on television with my wife. The announcing team on MSG Network stated during their broadcast that when they arrived at the stadium at 3:30 PM, all the ticket windows had large signs hanging which read: Sold Out.
The crowd was a major factor in this game, I could see that the noise disrupted the Revolution and their ability to communicate on the field. The Red Bulls jumped out to an early 1-0 lead on a goal by Fabian Espindola, and New York dominated the first half of play.
Controversial call
In the second half, around the 85th minute, the referee called a handball in the penalty area on Red Bulls defender Jamison Olave. The replays showed that the ball clearly hit Olave on the shoulder and the ball never contacted his arm. The fans booed loudly as Lee Nguyen stepped up and kicked a penalty shot by Red Bulls goalkeeper Luis Robles to tie the match at 1-1.
New England suffered a setback a few minutes later when Andy Dorman was ejected from the match with a straight red card. The Revolution would have to play a man down the rest of the way.
However, Diego Fagundez capitalized on a mistake by Red Bulls defender David Carney, and shot the ball past a diving Luis Robles for their second goal of the match. Carney completely mishandled the ball, and should have cleared it out of the Red Bulls end, instead he tried to cut the ball back inside to the middle of the field. This miscue had the Red Bulls suddenly trailing 2-1.
I was in shock, this type of performance was indicative of other Red Bulls teams in the past, but not this team under Head Coach Mike Petke.
Cahill strikes again
The Red Bulls bounced back after conceding the goal, and they continued to attack the Revolution goal, which was more representative of the competitive team that they have been all season long.
New England goalkeeper, Matt Reis, had been very good after conceding the early goal to Espindola. He made two fantastic saves on Thierry Henry, and kept the Revolution alive in this game to allow them to be in position for the win.
In what would be the last play of the match, the Revolution would find themselves down two men, one because of the before mentioned red card, and another player was off the field getting treatment for an injury. The Red Bulls took advantage, and on a recycled corner kick, Tim Cahill put the ball past Reis and into the net! The Red Bulls tied the match 2-2 on the last play before the referee was going to signal the end of stoppage time, and New York clinched a playoff spot!
The fans at Red Bull Arena exploded, and I was elated at home, Cahill again came up with a clutch goal at exactly the right time. The Red Bulls regained the lead for the Supporters Shield with the tie, and they have a bye week before going to Houston to play the Dynamo on October 20th.
New England played well in the second half and could have really used the win, now they will have to play very well in their remaining games to keep their playoff hopes alive. They are currently 3 points out of the 5th and final spot in the East.
Supporters Shield – added importance
The New York Red Bulls clinched a spot in the playoffs but they have plenty of motivation to play hard the rest of the regular season because the standings are so tight in the Eastern Conference and for the Supporters Shield.
The Supporters Shield has added importance this year because the team that wins it will have home field advantage throughout the playoffs and including the MLS Cup Championship Game. In prior years the MLS Cup Championship was played at a neutral site predetermined by the league.
The ability to have home field advantage for the playoffs and the championship game is critical for the Red Bulls because they are a much better team at home than they are on the road.
The Seattle Sounders, who could edge out the Red Bulls for the Supporters Shield have one of the best home field advantages in MLS. Real Salt Lake is also in the race and they have a unique advantage at home because of the thin air from the altitude there.
The Red Bulls have to finish strong this season to insure that they will not be travelling much in the playoffs as the quest continues to bring the MLS Cup to New York for the first time.