The New York Red Bulls had a 3 game winning streak snapped with a midweek 1-1 draw at Montreal, and came into tonight's match against New York City FC with a disadvantage from short rest. The Red Bulls were still riding some good feelings from the signings of Shaun Wright-Phillips and Gonzalo Veron while NYC were riding Andrea Prilo's first two starts. The game looked to be a tight one given NYC's position below the playoff line and wanting to make a push.

Early on, the action was tight with NYC FC getting a few shots off, and a point blank Luis Robles save keeping the Red Bulls in the game. Bradley Wright-Phillips would put the home team up in the 21st minute after getting on the end of a low Kemar Lawrence cross for a tap in. The teams would trade barbs for the rest of the half with no other goals. The 1-0 halftime lead would prove tough to defend, but the Red Bulls did one better.

Felipe Martins, who has only scored with his face this year, put the Red Bulls up 2-0 in the 85th minute when he beat Josh Saunders with a low near post shot, which should never happen. On that same play, Mike Grella nutmegged Frank Lampard and relegated him to the bench for the rest of the match. The Red Bulls would hold onto the 2-0 lead to sweep the regular season series by a combined 7-2 score.

3 Thoughts

Rope a Dope

If there was a soccer version of the rope-a-dope, this would be a good example. NYC FC had most of the possession early on, and the Red Bulls basically took a shot to the jaw, wiped the sweat away, and landed a haymaker with BWP's goal.

Long Island Messi

Honestly, the Long Island Messi tag never made sense as it wasn't consistent skill, but the name is starting to make more sense after his nutmeg of Frank Lampard.

3 Games, 9 Points, #NYisRED

New York is red! pic.twitter.com/RDCctvuzC9

— Long Island's Capo (@JeffreyKleiman) August 10, 2025

Enough said.