Lloyd Sam's 54th minute strike from the top of the box helped the New York Red Bulls open their MLS campaign with a 1-1 draw against Sporting Kansas City at Sporting Park yesterday. Sam's curler into the top corner equalized the match just minutes after KC's Ike Opara headed home a cross from the edge of the six yard box to open the second half. The Red Bulls were unable to turn their high pressure into a second goal after Sporting was reduced to ten men, thanks to a Matt Besler second yellow card in the 71st minute. Full Match Recap
BOX SCORE
Lineups:
NY: Luis Robles, Chris Duvall, Ronald Zubar (Matt Miazga 77'), Damien Perrinelle, Roy Miller, Lloyd Sam, Dax McCarty, Felipe (Anatole Abang 84'), Sacha Kljestan, Mike Grella (Sal Zizzo, 68'), Bradley Wright Phillips
SKC: Luis Marin, Amadou Dia, Ike Opara, Matt Besler, Seth Sinovic, Benny Feilhaber, Roger Espinoza, Graham Zusi (Eric Palmer-Brown 84'), Krisztian Nemeth (Jacob Peterson, 77'), Bernardo Anor (Nagamura, 61'), Dom Dwyer
Goals and Assists:
- 50' Ike Opara 1 (Benny Feilhaber)
- 54' Lloyd Sam 1 (Unassisted)
Discipline:
- SKC: Besler, Caution, 30'; Ejection 71'
- NY: Wright-Phillips, Caution, 80'
- NY: Kljestan, Caution, 85'
LLOYD SAM GOAL
Watch Lloyd Sam's stunning 54th minute equalizer below.
MATCH PHOTOS
Photographer Kyle Rivas was on hand at Sporting Park in Kansas City to capture the best moments from the Red Bulls 1-1 draw vs. Sporting KC.
Jesse Marsch, Lloyd Sam, Sacha Kljestan, and Dax McCarty spoke to the media after yesterday's match. Notable quotes from their availabilty are below. Click here for the full quote sheet.
New York Red Bulls Manager Jesse Marsch's thoughts on the 1-1 draw…
For us, it wasn't a perfect game by any means but I thought overall to come into a tough place to play on opening night and come away with a draw, was all-in-all a pretty good result and a pretty good performance for us.
Midfielder Lloyd Sam on his second-half equalizer…
I think Felipe turned an I dropped into midfield. I turned and had a run across the middle. I did a little chop and then whipped it into the corner. It felt great to score. This place is always difficult to play in, so to keep the crowd quiet and all, that was very important
Captain Dax McCarty's take on the match…
I think before the game if you had asked us if we would have taken this result, coming into a new season with a new system, new coach and new players, we probably would have taken this result. If you ask me now, I'll tell you we are disappointed.
NYRB's new signing Sacha Kljestan on his first game with New York…
It was nice to play 90 minutes. It was nice to be on the field with my teammates, who I love. We fought for each other and had a great mentality, so all that felt good. Personally, I think I can do a lot better so I'm hopeful for the future.
THE 91ST MINUTE WITH LLOYD SAM
Lloyd Sam spoke to NewYorkRedBulls.com about the result, and his equalizing goal. See what had to say below.
NEXT UP
New York is back in action on Sunday, March 22 when the sixth season of soccer at Red Bull Arena kicks off against Atlantic Cup rival D.C. United at 5:00 p.m. ET. Tickets are on sale now.
