The New York Red Bulls toppled FC Cincinnati, 3-1, at Red Bull Arena on Saturday night. New York stretched their unbeaten at home streak to 12 matches in 2024.
RBNY are the only team in MLS who remain unbeaten at home.
Lewis Morgan scored a brace for New York, tallying his first goal in the 7th minute.
Dylan Nealis played a long ball within his own half into the path of forward Elias Manoel, who crossed it to Morgan, who placed it in the bottom right corner.
"The goal is to start early and make sure you're the first team to get on the scoreboard and we’ve done that tonight," Morgan said.
Morgan completed his brace in the 59th minute. Dennis Gjengaar sent in a cross to the back post, which was headed down by Carmona into the path of Morgan, who placed the ball in the back of the net.
Kyle Duncan scored his first goal of the season, into the upper 90, from 25 yards out in the 52nd minute.
A throw-in by Dylan Nealis was sent into the box and Cincinnati cleared it in the path of defender Duncan, who struck a shot into the top left corner of the net.
"I didn't know it was going in," Duncan said. "I was hoping it went in. And then when I saw it, I was so excited that I couldn't even celebrate in the moment. But then I realized I scored and I just ran over to my teammates to celebrate."
The Red Bulls extended their home unbeaten streak to 15 matches across all competitions, which ranks as the second longest streak in franchise history. New York became the second team in franchise history to go unbeaten in their first 12 home matches to begin a season (2012).
New York’s 12-match home unbeaten streak this season is the third time in franchise history that a team has gone unbeaten in 12-plus home regular season matches in a single season (2012, 2016).
Morgan now has scored 30 goals across all competitions for the Red Bulls, which ranks ninth place in franchise history for most goals scored by a player, passing Adolfo Valencia. His 12 goals this season is now tied for second place in franchise history for most goals scored by a midfielder in a single season.
"Three points is three points," Morgan said. "We knew Cincinnati was going to be a good game and a good team, if anything it's better getting the three points when you know you're playing a really good side and that's what we've done tonight against the Cincinnati team. Regardless of some injuries they had at the back I think we were ready for the best version of them and I think we dominated the game to be honest, I think it could have been more."
The Greenock, Scotland native has scored five career goals across all competitions against Cincinnati. He has tallied eight goal contributions (3G, 4A) in eight career MLS matches against Cincinnati.
New York will host Toronto FC at Red Bull Arena on Saturday, July 27 for their first group stage match of 2024 Leagues Cup.
"It's a great feeling," Gjengaar said. "It's an important feeling going into the Leagues Cup. It's very important for the team and it's a great feeling."
Kickoff is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV in English and Spanish and New York Red Bulls Radio in English via the New York Red Bulls app and NewYorkRedBulls.com.
