Red Bull New York defeated the Columbus Crew 1-0 on Ronald Donkor’s second half goal Saturday at Lower.com field.
Both teams came into this match desperate for a win; Red Bull had lost six of its last nine matches and Columbus had lost four of its last five.
In the 31st minute of the match, Red Bull goalkeeper Ethan Horvath sent a long ball into Columbus Crew’s half of the field. The ball was flicked forward by Red Bull defender Dylan Nealis where it was trapped by Cameron Harper. Harper was inside the box, took a few touches before ripping a right-footed shot off the right post and out of play.
In the 71st minute, Red Bull forward Julian Hall first-timed a loose ball inside the box. Hall’s shot was ticketed for the upper right corner but Columbus goalkeeper Patrick Schulte made a stunning save with both hands. In the 75th minute, Columbus made a substitution bringing on Taha Habroune for forward Santi Rodriguez.
One minute later, Red Bull forward Cade Cowell received a long pass on the edge of the box. Cowell then curled a right-footed shot ticketed for inside the right post that was again denied by Schulte.
In the 80th minute, Michael Bradley made two substitutions: rookie midfielder Adri Mehmeti was taken off for David Ruiz and Hall was replaced by Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting.
Five minutes later, Columbus took a corner kick short to Dylan Chambost. Chambost crossed to the back post and Horvath attempted to jump and grab the ball in the air, but he missed it. The ball fell to Sean Zawadski who tried to poke the ball into the empty net, but Red Bull defender Dylan Nealis slid and blocked his shot, in what would end up being the key defensive play of the match.
Four minutes after Nealis’ blocked shot, Red Bull New York broke open the scoring. Harper cut the ball back inside the Columbus box for Ronald Donkor, who hammered a shot that Schulte could not save into the lower right portion of the net.
Donkor’s second goal and eighth goal contribution of the season was all that Red Bull would need to secure three vital points on the road in Ohio.
I just saw Cam (Harper) running. I thought this ball he’s just going to cut it back. So I just have to make the run. But when I shoot the ball, I didn’t really see anything. But that was a great goal, and like we’re happy for the win. – Ronald Donkor
Red Bull showed a lot of maturity putting the disappointing loss on Wednesday behind them and earning a win on the road against an equally hungry team.
I think we continue to develop as team. I think there is a lot of individual players that are improving in big ways. I have said it a few times over this last period, and look I understand better than anybody that this is still always about finding ways to get results, but in this last period, there have still been a lot of things for the team and a lot of players, who have improved in big ways, and we have not had enough to show for ourselves on certain days, and so yeah, we feel really good that now in this week-long road trip we take four points, two shutouts, and so, we are going to use this as a way to really build momentum. – Head Coach Michael Bradley
Red Bull New York will now prepare for their final Hudson River Derby match of the season against New York City FC at Yankee Stadium next Friday.
