MLS Weekend Recap: Week 19 - NYC FC vs NYRB & Birdgate

New York Red Bulls Rally in Hudson River Derby 

In a weekend full of action, Sunday's early match was a tale of two completely different halves. NYC FC looked the better squad throughout the first.  David Villa was active, but even during the run of play NYC dominated, a disconnect between the midfield transitioning the ball to the attack was clear.

First Half Action (Photo by Sean Sullivan)

NYC FC opened the scoring account in the 6th minute, however this was false hope for the home supports.  Midfielder Thomas McNamara made a nifty reception in the box, before slotting home a low volley out of the reach of keeper Louis Robles.  The majority of the attack was in NYC's favor, but they lacked the ability to connect on passes in the final third to go ahead even further.

Villa and Robles Clash - 1st Half (Photo By Sean Sullivan)

The second half was a completely different story.  The Red Bulls struck courtesy of Bradley Wright-Phillips in the 47th minute.  The crafty forward finished a stellar ball with pace from Sasha Kljestan, whose delivery left Wright-Phillips no other option but to blast it past the sprawling Josh Saunders.

Wright-Phillips Strikes (Photo via usatoday.com)

Lightening then struck again in the 52nd minute when the Red Bull broke the deadlock.  Defender Chris Duvall smashed home a volley inside the six yard box.  The stage was set up by a Mike Grella's perfectly weighted chip to the head of Anatole Bertand Abang.  Abang held off a defender just enough to swiftly knocked it with his head into the path of Duvall. Duvall then channeled his inner striker and put his side ahead 2-1.  

(Photo by Sean Sullivan)

The game was then put away in the 75th minute.  Kljestan again provided killer service, this time from a set piece, finding the head of 19-year old Matt Miazga.  The defender needed a simple redirect on frame to beat the retreating Saunders.

Red Bull 2nd Half Domination (mlssoccer.com)

New York City Football Club needs help on the defense.  The Red Bulls were able to pick them apart at will and were unlucky to not score more.  NYC FC owes the post a beer as it bailed them out twice, preventing a 5-1 scoreline.  The first was a beauty  by Wright-Phillips who struck a heroic left footed attempted in the 2nd half that had the venom to beat Saunders who was in position to make the save.

For those of you like myself in attendance, you could sense the disappointment in the home fans. Only time will tell if the arrival of Frank Lampard and potentially Andrea Pirlo can be enough to link some form of transitional possession from the defense to the attack.  Signings Angelino and Andoni Iraola will most likely see immediate action once ready as the backline needs pace and a veteran leader to keep shape and organization.

Chicago Fire vs. DC United: Birdgate 

This recap is not about the game.  Although DC United emerged victorious over the Chicago Fire by the score of 1-0 in a somewhat bland match, the game was still subject to a rather crazy incident. 

(Photo by Sean Sullivan via mlsssocer.com)

Around the 56th minute mark of the 2nd half, thanks to viewers at the match, Twitter was taken by storm.  From the social media posts I came across, it was observed that a bird had been stepped on during the run of play. What had been a slow match to this point shifted gears with all concerns on the safety of bird rather than securing the 3 points.

Fingers Point To Chris Ritter (Screenshot via mlssoccer.com)

*No information has been issued regarding the current health of the bird*

This bizarre run in with the bird makes me wonder if this was a singular event or if others like such have been swept under the carpet.  #Birdgate

Week 19 Fixtures & Results 

(Screen Shot via google.com)