HARRISON, N.J. (April 17, 2015) – The New York Red Bulls continued their unbeaten run to start the season with a complete 2-0 win over the San Jose Earthquakes 431060012" tabindex="0">on Friday evening at Red Bull Arena on the strength of goals from Sacha Kljestan and Mike Grella.
The 3-0-2 Red Bulls return to the top of the Eastern Conference with 11 points, one ahead of D.C. United. D.C. will host Houston 431060013" tabindex="0">tomorrow evening.
"I think it was a good game for us and a good game at home,” said Red Bulls head coach Jesse Marsch. “Obviously getting a 2-0 lead helps the game a little bit, but I think we've set the standard high for ourselves early on in the season, and we know we can play a little bit better, but at the same time, I don't think that the game was ever out of grasp.”
After a 15-minute feeling-out period, the Red Bulls took the reins of the game. New York struck first in the 29th minute, when midfielder Felipe played a low cross that was touched along the six-yard box by Bradley Wright-Phillips and finished at the back post by Sacha Kljestan. The goal is Kljestan’s first for New York, and first in MLS since April 24, 2010, when he scored for Chivas USA against San Jose.
The goal spurred on New York, and the home side dominated the possession and chances for the remainder of the half. Grella tacked on the second goal in the 35th minute, finding himself alone at the same back post to bury a perfectly-weighted cross from Lloyd Sam for his second of the season.
The best chance for San Jose came in the 73rd minute, when half-time sub Chris Wondolowski blasted a shot from the top of the box just over Luis Robles and the crossbar. Robles finished the night with four saves, and was strong when tested.
With the win, New York maintains at least a share of the best home record in MLS since the start of 2012. In that time, the Red Bulls are 34-7-12, with 114 points. They entered the weekend tied with LA Galaxy on 111 points. The Galaxy are in action at home 431060014" tabindex="0">tomorrow evening against Sporting Kansas City.
The win also ties the franchise’s second-best start to a season through five games, when they opened 2007 3-0-2. The only better opening run came in 2010, the team jumped out to a 4-1-0 start.
New York held the edge in shots, 21-10, and shots on goal, 8-4. The home side also finished with 57% of the possession.
New York is back in action next 431060015" tabindex="0">Sunday, April 26, when they host LA Galaxy at Red Bull Arena. Kickoff is set for 5 p.m.on ESPN2.
Scoring Summary:
- NY - Sacha Kljestan (1) (Bradley Wright-Phillips, Felipe) 29'
- NY - Mike Grella (2) (Lloyd Sam) 35'
Misconduct Summary:
- NY - Damien Perrinelle (caution, foul) 11'
- SJ - Fatai Alashe (caution, foul) 36'
- SJ - Sanna Nyassi (caution, foul) 54'
Lineups:
- New York Red Bulls: Luis Robles, Chris Duvall, Damien Perrinelle, Matt Miazga, Kemar Lawrence, Dax McCarty ©, Felipe, Sacha Kljestan (Sean Davis, 86'), Lloyd Sam (Sal Zizzo, 76'), Mike Grella (Dane Richards, 78'), Bradley Wright-Phillips
- TOTAL SHOTS: 21; SHOTS ON GOAL: 8; FOULS: 11; OFFSIDE: 3; CORNER KICKS: 12; SAVES: 4.
- San Jose: David Bingham, Cordell Cato, Marvell Wynne, Victor Bernardez, Clarence Goodson, Matias Perez Garcia, Fatai Alashe, J.J. Koval (Chris Wondolowski, 56'), Sanna Nyassi (Tommy Thompson, 68'), Innocent, Shea Salinas (Leandro Barrera, 79')
- TOTAL SHOTS: 10; SHOTS ON GOAL: 4; FOULS: 14; OFFSIDE: 0; CORNER KICKS: 5; SAVES: 6.
- Referee: Jair Marrufo
- Referee's Assistants: Eric Boria, Danny Thornberry
- 4th Official: Baldomero Toledo
- Attendance: 16,406
