Showing posts with label New York Red Bulls. Show all posts
Showing posts with label New York Red Bulls. Show all posts

Wednesday, April 11, 2018

Chivas-Toronto in the final

Chivas Guadalajara held on heroically to a 0-0 against New York Red Bulls, and following their 1-0 home victory made it to the CONCACAF Champions League final. There, they will face Toronto FC, who tied Club America 1-1. Their victory was never in doubt following their 3-1 home win, and when they went ahead 0-1 at the Estadio Azteca.
Chivas Guadalajara only won the highest honour in CONCACAF in 1962, and reached their last final in 2007. Given their poor season, this final will be very important for the Mexican side.
Last time a non-Mexican side won the tournament was in 2005 (Saprissa), and the last time an MLS side won was in 2000 (LA Galaxy). A Canadian side has never won the tournament before, so this will likely be a historical final: Toronto FC are surely favourites, having been solid throughout the tournament, while Chivas have struggled through the tournament and the season. The final is to be played over two legs, and here Chivas has a slight advantage as they will play the second leg at home.

Wednesday, March 14, 2018

MLS-Liga MX 2-0

The first of four Concacaf Champions League quarterfinals were decided today, and they were two matches between MLS sides New York Red Bulls and Toronto FC, and Liga MX sides Tijuana and Tigres UANL, respectively.
New York Red Bulls had a 0-2 away advantage after a hard-fought and lucky away win. Tijuana attacked from the start, and even went ahead 0-1, but the New Yorkers were unforgiving in the counter-attack and won 3-1, taking the first semifinal spot for MLS. Toronto were 2-1 ahead before going to "El Volcan" in Nueva Leon. Toronto defended their lead, but were strong in counter-attack as Tigres pushed more and more. In the end Tigres won 3-2, but this was not enough, and Toronto are in the semifinals, second MLS team.
Tomorrow Seattle Sounders, holding a 1-0 lead, are likely to become the third MLS team against a Chivas Guadalajara side that is playing awful. This will mean that there are three MLS sides in the semifinals, and one Mexican, as America are likely to progress from their 4-0 lead against Tauro, from Panama.
America are surely a strong side, but after having watched the MLS sides, I would put money on this being the first year that MLS shows that it is better than the Mexican League.

Wednesday, March 07, 2018

Welcome to Tijuana

Club Tijuana hosted New York Red Bulls in the first leg of the CONCACAF Champions League quarterfinals. A good result for the home team was crucial, but the New Yorkers were welcomed in Tijuana and took everything back to the USA on their trip to the other side of the Rio Grande. NY Red Bulls were not that impressive, but efficient: Bradley Wright-Phillips scored both goals in what were almost the only chances they created, but most impressive of all was the NY goalkeeper Luis Robles, who, when Tijuana were attacking the most, came up with some incredible saves.
Tijuana supposedly has one of the best defenses in the Mexican League, but will need not just that, but also to score against Robles in New York. Expect NY Red Bulls in the semifinals, where they will face the winner of Chivas Guadalajara-Seattle Sounders.

Monday, October 22, 2012

Football in New York

Last week I spent in New York. This fantastic city is not known for its football, but nevertheless I had some good footballing experiences in the city.
There is surely vast footballing talent in the USA, but only in recent decades has it begun to seep through to the highest level, although the potential surely remains unexploited. So it was very interesting to me when a friend invited me to see a High School match in Brooklyn between the two local schools, Brooklyn International High School and Prospect High School. Although organisation and great variety in skills, there were surely some skillful players on both sides, but most importantly, eager to play football! The match ended 2-3 to the Prospect side, much to the disappointment of Brooklyn International, who had been leading and playing better way into the second half. But both teams are in their play-offs, and I hope they both do well!
Brooklyn Internatonal High School football match
On Saturday evening, after enjoying a beautiful day in the city, I went to have a beer in the great local football bar, Woodwork, in Brooklyn. Watched the last minutes of FC Barcelona's 4-5 victory against Deportivo La Coruna, but then greatly enjoyed watching the MLS match between the New York Red Bulls and Sporting Kansas City.
New York is probably one of the more known teams in the MLS, counting in its ranks such greats as Thierry Henry and Rafa Marquez. But the fact is that Sporting Kansas City are the leaders of the MLS Eastern Conference with a Danish goalkeeper, Jimmy Nielsen. He has already become one of the highest ranking goalkeepers in the MLS, making it twice to the all-stars, and is close to becoming the number one goalkeeper of the season. With some great saves Nielsen contributed to the 0-0 draw, and their first place in the Conference, but it should be mentioned that the New York Red Bulls are already in the Play-offs as well.