Head Coach Gerhard Struber knew exactly how much this win meant to the team and the fans, following a 2-1 victory over Atlanta United FC on Wednesday night.
"It was a massive win in all directions," Struber said. "From the mental side, the last few weeks were not so easy, we had a little bit of a situation of not the right results."Â
New York opened the scoring in the 11th minute, as Kyle Duncan sent in a ball from the near corner of the field that was flicked by Cristian Cásseres Jr. to Lewis Morgan, who immediately ripped a shot into the back of the net.
"We worked the last few days in workshops, we brought the boys back with the right mindset, with the right belief," Struber said. "Today, I think, we can feel this from the first second that my boys were so ready to bounce back with a victory. I would say in all four phases today I can see we controlled the game. In the end, we know Atlanta has outstanding quality in their roster, but I think our principles, our typical identity, crashed them with big hits."
The visitors doubled their advantage four minutes later, as John Tolkin played the ball short to Cásseres Jr. on a corner kick. Cásseres Jr. immediately passed it back to Tolkin, who took a few steps and sent in a ball that found its way into the net.
"You can see our resiliency here," Tolkin said. "It’s a really close group and guys stepped up today. I think most importantly, just [regenerate], get our bodies ready for a bunch of more games. This is the final stretch before the playoffs, we’re pushing for those top spots. We really want a home playoff game, so I think just getting our bodies right, and you can see it tonight that we can get it done on the field."
The Red Bulls are unbeaten in their last five road matches with a 3-0-2 mark.
"It was a massive win today and it gives us a big push for everything that is coming," Struber said. "We know that the table is so extremely close and our goal is to [be] the top teams in the league, and today we made the necessary first step back."
New York is 8-3-3 on the road in MLS play this season. Its eight road victories are tied with Austin FC for the most in MLS this season.
"We can’t forget that Cincinnati is coming, and we cannot relax now, it’s nice to have a win in our brain, in our core, but we have to think forward," Struber said. "It’s a big game on the weekend against Cincinnati."
The Red Bulls will return home to Red Bull Arena to face FC Cincinnati on Saturday, August 20. Kickoff is set for 6 p.m. ET with coverage on MSG, MSG GO, and New York Red Bulls Radio in English and Spanish via TuneIn, the New York Red Bulls app and NewYorkRedBulls.com.
