With a win in Chicago on April 30, New York became the second team in MLS history to win its first five road games of the season in regulation and the first since the Los Angeles Galaxy in 1998.
What went into this unbeaten run? A lot.
We dive in deep to the key moments, key numbers, and key players behind the Red Bulls’ historic early success on the road.
Key Moments
Omir Strikes Back Against San Jose
New York’s historical run on the road almost never even started, as the Red Bulls had a battle on their hands in San Jose to open the season.
After striking first before halftime to go up 1-0, San Jose found an equalizer in the 69th minute. It only took three minutes, though, for Omir Fernandez’s left footed shot to find its way through the legs of goalkeeper JT Marcinkowski to put New York back ahead 2-1.
New York would never look back, winning 3-1 and starting the season with three points on the road.
Lewis’ Hat Trick Against Toronto
The very next week, Lewis Morgan scored his first goal for the club, and then notched two more.
A hat trick in the first half of the game, helping the New York Red Bulls jump out to a 4-1 lead at halftime en route to three points on the road.
Patryk Klimala notched three assists on the day, assisting Morgan on all of his goals, helping confirm another road victory and getting New York a 2-0-0 start to the season.
Fletcher Forces Own Goal Against New England
For 90 minutes, it looked like New York and New England would play to a 0-0 stalemate.
The Red Bulls were down to ten men after Frankie Amaya was issued two yellow cards, but a counter attack against the run of play from Ashley Fletcher lead to the breakthrough in the form of a pinball own goal by New England’s Matt Polster.
Carlos Coronel made five saves on the night, including a point-blank diving stop to keep New England off the board and help secure yet another road win.
Patryk’s Brace Completes Comeback
The Red Bulls weathered the storm, both literally and figuratively, in Chicago.
After trailing for 75 minutes, behind two goals from Patryk Klimala, New York fought back to earn a 2-1 victory that etched their names in the MLS history books.
The goals for Klimala were his second and third of the season and the 10th and 11th of his MLS career. He has scored eight goals on the road in his MLS career.
The match also marked his first multi-goal match in his Red Bulls career.
Key Numbers
5- The Red Bulls became the second team in MLS history to win its first five road games of the season in regulation and the first since the Los Angeles Galaxy in 1998.
13- New York has scored 13 goals on the road this season, which is the most in MLS.
4- Lewis Morgan leads the team with four goals on the road this season, including a hat trick against Toronto on March 5.
3- Defense has traveled for the Red Bulls so far this season. In five road MLS matches this season, New York has only allowed three goals, and hasn’t allowed more than one in any away match this season. This run also includes two clean sheet performances against New England and Orlando.
120- The Red Bulls earned their 120th road win in franchise history, which is tied with Sporting Kansas City for the second-most in MLS history.
Key Players
Carlos Coronel
Against an expected goals allowed total of 4.5, Coronel has collected two clean sheets in road games this season, only allowing two goals from open play.
Coronel was featured in the starting XI of the MLS Team of the Week after he made five saves in New York’s 1-0 win at New England.
The mainstay between the posts has come up big on the road for the Red Bulls so far this season.
Patryk Klimala
The offense has mostly run through Klimala, especially in road games this season.=
He opened the season with a a goal against San Jose, and his brace against Chicago etched the Red Bulls into MLS history.
In five road games this season, Klimala has 12 scoring attempts, three goals, and three assists.
Lewis Morgan
His first half hat trick against Toronto has been the highlight of Morgan’s season so far, but he has been a consistent presence in the Red Bulls attack that has made this streak possible.
Morgan has four goals, two assists, and 10 total scoring attempts in the five MLS road games this season.
The offseason addition has made an impact, and is one of the key players behind New York’s historic run on the road.
