Head Coach Gerhard Struber and the New York Red Bulls grabbed their first point on the road in 2021, playing to a scoreless draw against Atlanta United FC in Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
“I am very happy with our style against the ball, I think we have so many in-fights and so many battles on the field today and we win so many battles from that. The attitude, the energy, the synchronized moments, was what we miss a little bit in New England, was, today, on a very good level,” Struber said. “I think the togetherness, to create overload moments in our spaces for want we want and was also very good. We created some very good chances.”
The Red Bulls have held Atlanta scoreless in their last three matchups, which included a 1-0 win on July 11, 2020, and a 1-0 win on October 10, 2020. Atlanta have not scored on New York in 270 minutes.
“I think in the end, we deserve, absolutely this point and with a little bit more luck in the end we can win this game,” Struber said.
Missing key players like Caden Clark (appendectomy) and Cristian Cásseres Jr. (international duty), New York also lost Andrés Reyes and Tom Edwards to minor injuries during the match.
“What I am most proud of is how many different guys stepped up and how every guy starting or off the bench was able to just empty the tank and give everything for the group,” Sean Davis said. “Once again, coming to Mercedes-Benz Stadium, putting in a strong performance, something we can be proud of and obviously, there are things we can improve, but I think it gives us a lot of confidence that we can go into one of the tougher environments and pick up points.”
This was New York’s fourth clean sheet in 10 matches this season, after only having five total clean sheets in 23 matches in 2020.
“I’m very happy with the whole team, in our defensive structure with our behavior with our style of play,” Struber said. “We play here in this atmosphere. We’ve so many supporters against us and the young players they played with brave with courage and I loved it. I am very proud of the whole backline.”
Goalkeeper Carlos Coronel made three saves in the match, leading to his fourth shutout of the season, which is currently tied for first in MLS.
“I think, in the end, we are happy with the point,” Struber said. “We expect the win, but in the end we are happy with the point but I think more happy with the performance for my team. I think this gives us, especially from the spirit from the togetherness, one more time, a big push in the back that we make the next necessary step in our process. I think the progress it looks very, very good at the moment and I am very, very happy. Yeah, first point away, it’s feeling a lot better.”
Defender Kyle Duncan made his 50th career MLS regular season appearance, while midfielder Wiki Carmona recorded his first career MLS start.
Davis said the coaching staff, especially Struber, pressed all the right buttons in preparing for the match and executing their gameplan.
“I think it says a lot about our group that in one of the toughest environments, we’re able to rise up to the occasion and put in strong performances,” Davis said. “I think today was no different. It was a battle back and forth. We faced a lot of adversity.”
New York earned their first road shutout since October 10, 2020, also against Atlanta United FC.
“I could go around the horn and talk about different performances, but the first few that come to mind,” Davis said. “There are so many different guys that have stepped up in a big way. When you face adversity like we did tonight, when you come through it on the other side, it only brings us together more. I think that togetherness is super important for how we play, for our mentality.”
