Impact Thrash Red Bulls

The New York Red Bulls went up to Montreal, Quebec, Canada to take on the Impact and made an attempt to keep their undefeated streak alive at the Stade Saputo. Sadly they ran into a black and blue wall as the Impact defeated the Red Bulls in a three goal clean sheet tie.

It started well for the Red Bulls as they were trying to get some attacking runs going, but sadly their achillies heel once again popped up as they were beaten by set pieces from the Impact. The first one came in the 30th minute.

Rod Fanni converted his first of the season as he got a great cross along the near side from Saphir Taider. When the ball was delivered Fanni came right at the ball and snapped a header past Luis Robles for the opening goal.

Then eight minutes later another Impact player would earn his first of the season as Bacary Sagna would also convert from a set piece. Montreal got a free kick and Daniel Lovitz delivers the ball into the area.

It was a quick passing header from Jukka Raitala who found Sagna in front of the net and he would head it in past Robles for the second goal against the Red Bulls and put the Impact ahead by two.

“When you look at the first two goals we conceded on set pieces, it’s just not good enough. And it continues to be a theme we have to address. So, I know that we’re not perfect and we’re a work in progress, and as it comes down to crunch time we have to show an aptitude to learn from our mistakes.” Said Luis Robles

“As we get a much-needed rest for the next week, some guys will take a few days off after five games in 15 days. But as we take a step back, we realize we clinched playoffs, we’re still in first place and there’s still a lot of work to be done.

So it wasn’t our best performance – if anything it was one of our worst – but I don’t want to be too hasty. The feelings are raw and visceral. Some perspective is needed and as we take a step back, we realize it is one game.”

The Impact scored their third goal in second half stoppage time as Ignacio Piatti converted from a rebound chance to officially end the game, but the original 3rd goal was waived off by VAR as Piatti was seen to be in an offside position when the shot was taken.

But at the end of the day it’s three points lost and they still lead Atlanta United by a point as they will await and see on Sunday if DC United will find a way to disrupt their attacks and try to knock them down.

But at the end of the day the Red Bulls were trying to rotate their squad with so much fixture congestion that eventually a loss was coming, but Chris Armas tried to look at some positives before the international break came.

“We felt we had a decent start to the game and each team didn’t really want the ball to start. They wanted us to have the ball. We had it sixty per cent of the time in the first half. And then all of a sudden there is a couple of set piece goals.” said Arams.

“And you’re uphill against a team that is tough to break down naturally. You’re chasing a little bit, not a lot of space to play. And it’s demoralizing when you give up set piece goals. On the road it’s tough. So, we’ll have to sweat the set pieces out because it’s becoming a potential issue.”

Tyler Adams wasn’t in the eighteen man roster for this one as many have said he will be chosen for the friendly at Met Life Stadium against Brazil by Interim head coach Dave Sarachan and possibly more Red Bulls will join him.

But there is some silver lining for the Red Bulls with losses by NYCFC, a Draw from New England and other results going their way, they are the first club in MLS To clinch a Playoff spot and that was one of the goals all along.

But now it’s time to take a break and relax as we watch what happens at the Meadowlands on Friday September 7th as the USA will host Brazil to start the brand new cycle for qualifying to the 2022 World Cup.