As the New York Red Bulls 2014 regular season comes to a close this Sunday, a look back into the near past reveals an outstanding record: 5-0-0 on the final day of the season since 2009. In fact, New York is 6-1-1 in their season finales since they became known as the Red Bulls. As our season winds down, here is a look back at the last five RBNY victories.
October 24, 2009: Red Bulls vs. Toronto FC
Despite a tough season and a losing record, the New York Red Bulls aimed to deliver a proper send-off in their final game at Giants Stadium, their home since the inaugural season of MLS.
New York wasted no time in their efforts with Macoumba Kandji grabbing the game winning goal in the second minute. Six minutes later, present day head coach and former defender Mike Petke was forced to leave the game in the ninth minute due to injury. Juan Pablo Angel increased the lead in the 33rd and 62nd minute to make the game 3-0. Kandji added another in the 70th minute, and Albert Celades was substituted off the pitch to signal his retirement from soccer. Matthew Mbuta converted a 94+ minute penalty kick, and the Red Bulls won their final game of the season 5-0.
October 21, 2010: Red Bulls vs. New England Revolution
A turnaround from the prior season, the Red Bulls finished their first season in their new home at Red Bull Arena with a 15-9-6 record. With playoff positioning on the line, New York needed a positive result in their final match to clinch first place in the Eastern Conference.
Dane Richards opened the scoring for RBNY in the 17th minute when he sent a bullet from just inside of the penalty box into the top left corner. Although New England played a much better second half, the Red Bulls defense held strong. Finally, Joel Lindpere scored in the 92+ minute to earn the Red Bulls a 2-0 victory and first place heading into the playoffs.
October 20, 2011: Red Bulls vs. Philadelphia Union
The 2011 New York Red Bulls had to wait until the final day of the season to punch their MLS Cup Playoffs ticket. In need of a positive result, their final match of the year was for the fifth and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.
In the 8th minute, Jan Gunnar Solli’s cross found the head of Dane Richards in the six-yard box who sent his header off of the far post, bounced into the back of Philadelphia goalkeeper Faryd Mondragon, and into the goal. Richards was credited with this sole goal of the game, and the Red Bulls claimed a 1-0 victory and a spot in the 2011 MLS Cup Playoffs.
October 27, 2012: Red Bulls at Philadelphia Union
The 2012 Red Bulls clinched playoff berth prior to the final day, but they were playing to avoid the Knockout round by grabbing third place at PPL Park against Philadelphia Union.
It didn’t take long for New York to begin causing problems for the Union, and in the 13th minute Tim Cahill was fouled in the box for a penalty kick. Kenny Cooper took penalty and converted to put New York ahead early. Thierry Henry scored in the 35th minute to make it 2-0 before halftime, and Cooper would strike again in the 66th minute to put the game away and clinch third place for RBNY.
October 27, 2013: Red Bulls vs. Chicago Fire
The New York Red Bulls entered their most important regular season game in their history last year with a chance to win the Supporters’ Shield on the final day of the season.
It didn’t look good early when Chicago’s Mike Magee put Chicago ahead 0-1, but it was to be the Red Bulls’ day after all. Thierry Henry responded by scoring a golazo sent off of the crossbar and into the net in the 24th minute to tie the game 1-1 before halftime. In the second half the Red Bulls ran rampant – goals from Ibrahim Sekagya, Lloyd Sam, Eric Alexander, and Jonny Steele put the match out of reach and earned the New York Red Bulls a 5-2 victory and their first MLS trophy.
