HARRISON, N.J. (June 20, 2015) – The New York Red Bulls fell to Vancouver Whitecaps FC, 2-1, on Saturday night at Red Bull Arena. New York was reduced to 10 men early, and could not overcome a two-goal deficit in the second half.
Box Score:Red Bulls 1, Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2
With the loss, New York is now 4-5-5 on the season.
The Red Bulls had a chance to strike early, when Sal Zizzo, in his first game back since suffering a leg injury in April, was pulled down inside the box in the fourth minute. Red Bulls forward Bradley Wright-Phillips stepped to the spot and struck a hard shot to the left side, but Vancouver goalkeeper David Ousted guessed correctly and was able to push the ball wide of the post.
Red Bulls midfielder Sacha Kljestan was sent off in the 10th minute after being issued a red card for fighting.
Vancouver got on the board in the 15th minute, when Steven Beitashour found space down the wing and whipped in a cross that was finished from close range by Kekuta Manneh.
Octavio Rivero had a chance to double the advantage minutes later, but his effort from the top of the penalty area rang squarely off the right post.
The rest of the half passed without incident, and Vancouver took the 1-0 lead into the locker room.
Despite playing a man down, the Red Bulls came out firing in the second half. New York had a second crack from the penalty spot in the 64th minute, after a foul was called in the Vancouver penalty area when second-half sub Anatole Abang was pulled down while trying to get on the end of a cross. Wright-Phillips again stepped to the spot and this time struck a ball down the middle, but Ousted was there again.
Vancouver was quiet most of the second half, but showed its ability to strike on the counter in the 76th minute, jumping on a loose ball and sending Octavio Rivero on his way. Rivero found midfielder Kianz Froese in space, and Froese was able to beat Luis Robles one-on-one.
2015 MLS SuperDraft pick Manolo Sanchez subbed on for the ensuing kickoff and immediately injected energy into the offense, along with fellow rookie Abang.
Sanchez started the play that earned the Red Bulls’ goal, playing right-back Chris Duvall wide down the wing. Duvall then spun in a cross for Abang to finish. The goal was Abang’s second of the year in his longest appearance. It was the second career assist for Duvall, and first in 2015.
Sanchez had a chance for glory minutes later, getting the ball in space and charging towards the Vancouver goal. The winger cut to his right across the top of the penalty area and fired a low drive that forced a diving save from Ousted.
Dax McCarty had a chance on the ensuing corner kick. The Red Bulls captain squared up a header, but a well-placed Ousted came up with another save.
The Red Bulls are back in action on Wednesday, June 24, when Real Salt Lake comes to town for a 7:30 match at Red Bull Arena.
