BWP's Equalizer Saves a Point for the Red Bulls

After a big victory last week against NYCFC at Red Bull Arena, the Red Bulls knew they had to carry over that same energy at Toyota Park and face a stingy Chicago Fire side that has played well at home. This is a stadium the Red Bulls have had plenty of problems with in the past and it looked like it was going to continue.

After Matt Polster tapped home an own goal for the Red Bulls in the 16th minute, it felt like the club might have some luck on their side. But once again this is Toyota Park and maybe they finally broke the jinx last year winning the Supporters Shield there, this stadium is still a house of horror's.

David Accam had a free shot as he equalized the match in the 35th minute as the Red Bulls defenders never pressured him and he ripped a shot from distance beating Luis Robles to the back post. Even though some would say that this fault lies to Robles, the truth is none of the defenders made an attempt to close Accam down.

Matt Polster wanted to make up for his own goal mistake early in the first half so he converted his 2nd goal of the match in first half stoppage time to give the Fire the lead. He snuck in behind Sal Zizzo and made a diving header connect to give the Fire the lead.

But it all went for naught late in the 90th minute as Bradley Wright-Phillips was able to connect on a great cross to earn his 12th of the season and save a point. A fantastic cross from the near side by Connor Lade was delivered and BWP smacked the ball inside the near post for late equalizer.

"At halftime it would've been easy to be frustrated and angry, but I just tried to arrange their minds to make a push and if they made a push in the right way we could get back into the game. They made that push and got back into the game in a good way." Said Jesse Marsch, "We pressed a little bit more and got dangerous with possession. Overall it's a big positive and a result on the road. But somehow we have to cut out the performances like we had in the first half and build on performances like we had in the second half."

Sadly there was some damage to the starting eleven for the Red Bulls as Dax McCarty was injured on a challenge by Khaly Thiam in the 38th minute as the studs came up and caught McCarty on the top of his right knee. He was booked for the challenge and sadly McCarty was helped back up the tunnel by medical trainer Damien Franolich and Marsch.

"We're hopeful that Dax is going to be o.k.. it was a bad tackle and we thought it was worthy enough for a red card. This has been a emphases from the league to cut out these types of tackles against very important players and I hope we won't lose him."

For Bradley Wright-Phillips his late tally has moved him past the great Juan Pablo Angel as he scored his 63rd goal in all competitions. Earning his 57th goal in League play as well as scoring six goals in the playoffs, this puts Bradley at the top of clubs record right now and possibly adding more if he continues in this addition of the CONCACAF Champions League.

"It was one of the rare times we had space on the flank. Connor delivered a good ball and my eyes lit up, Conner can deliver good crosses so I had to get to the front post and tried to get a firm touch behind that ball." Said Bradley Wright-Phillips, "On the achievement it makes me quite happy. I try not to think about the record, but I wanted to break the record. When you get an achievement like that it does make me feel good."

But while the Red Bulls did earn a point on the road we can all say that their overall performance wasn't that good and they were lucky to get that result. Once again the only win on the road was at Yankee Stadium back in May when the Red Bulls defeated NYCFC 7-0 and very soon they will be back on the road in league play at the Los Angeles Galaxy in the Stub Hub Center next week.

But get ready for some mid-week international club action as the Red Bulls will host Antigua Guatemala Futbol Club in their first Group Stage match of the 2016-17 CONCACAF Champions League.