Three points at home, again.
The New York Red Bulls picked up another three point at Red Bull Arena to improve to 3-0-0 on the year in MLS play on their home pitch.
"Obviously a good result, an important result and good for us to get three points after everything we've been through this year," Head Coach Jesse Marsch said following the game.
New York topped the Montreal Impact, 3-1, on a sunny Saturday afternoon. The team improved to 3-2-0 on the year, with a +7 goal differential.
Bradley Wright-Phillips opened the scoring in the fifth minute, and later assisted on Kaku's first MLS goal in the 56th minute. Michael Amir Murillo added a tap in late in the match, too.
"If you saw today, if you really watched this game, his reactions, he closes down and he’s willing to work," Wright-Phillips said. "We’re full of talent in this team. We got to be willing to work and to find a number ten that is not only good on the ball but can work as hard as he does is very lucky. So, once he starts getting more games he’s going to be our most dangerous player.”
Through four MLS matches, Kaku has a goal and two assists.
"This was Kaku's best game by a mile," Marsch said. "He's worked hard to try to understand tactically what we're trying to get out of him. He's worked hard to understand now what the reactions are, where he's needed. I think he showed everyone, including himself, that he's going to be a really good fit here and he's going to be a big player here."
Following the game, Marsch said that it was "time to take the handcuffs" off Kaku as he continues to integrate into the team and the system, and to set him -- and BWP -- out to unleash havoc on the rest of the league.
- WATCH: Kaku's First MLS Goal
"That relationship will be key," Marsch said of Kaku and BWP. "We need to make sure that they understand each other's tendencies and movements and that they are clear with what kind of relationship we want them to have."
Captain Luis Robles can see that relationship already blossoming.
“Kaku continues to integrate nicely into our system and we knew from the very beginning that he was going to be a big part of what we want to do this season," Robles said. "It’s just helping him understand the tactics. From the very beginning, he wanted to be in there and help out, and it was only a matter of time {and he is doing that}. He definitely makes a difference… He scored a great goal and so I’m glad for him to be on the field and show for the team and what it means for him, for the fans and the organization.”
For Marsch, securing those three points was important on moving forward and setting the tone for the rest of the year.
"It was good to get three points," Marsch said. "It was good to respond after a very difficult Tuesday night. Our group is strong. We like our group a lot, and I think we're only getting better, but this was a big statement to ourselves that we could handle the disappointment and be strong enough to get through it. I'm proud of the guys."
