Red Bulls Spark in Stoppage Time, Tie 2-2 vs Atlanta

Published: Sunday, September 22, 2024

by Lauren Reese

There are certain nights where evening soccer just feels different. Maybe it’s a final, a matchup of two powerhouses competing for a trophy. Maybe it’s a homecoming story, or on the other hand, one of revenge. But maybe, it isn’t. Maybe it’s just a friendly. Even further, maybe it’s a pivotal friendly, one that could kickstart a team's momentum in the last stretch of the season before playoffs. Maybe it’s a cool mid-September 7:40 p.m matchup in Harrison, New Jersey. Two teams squaring off under the sunset, with overhead planes roaring to and fro, and a loud crowd celebrating Noche Latina… it just feels different.

The New York Red Bulls faced Atlanta United at the fortress of Red Bull Arena. Going into this contest, both teams have only one win in their last six games. With about 5-6 matches left in the regular season, there was no mistaking the significance a win would be for either side.

As the teams took to their sides and bounced around eagerly awaiting the beginning whistle, eyes were drawn to the young Daniel Edelman, who donned the NY captain’s armband for the first time, instead of the usual captain goalkeeper Carlos Coronel. The pyro lit up the night, the crowd roared its authority, and the first half was underway. 

Just five minutes into play, Felipe Carballo sent in a rocket of a volley for Atlanta goalkeeper Brad Guzan to punch away. This was the veteran goalkeeper’s first of many tests. Lewis Morgan thought he delivered the opening goal in the 12th minute when he tapped the ball in from a cross, but the referee ruled he was offsides. About six minutes later, Morgan and Dante Vanzeir each had their opportunities of settling the ball, taking some touches into the penalty box on the near side, and trying to tap the ball over Guzan to find the back of the net. However, the two were denied, and the Red Bulls would have to dig deeper to break past Guzan’s brick wall. 

The through-ball and give-and-go action in both the middle and down the wings was riveting to watch, as on-frame services from Cameron Harper and John Tolkin brought pumped-up cheers from the crowd. The latter eventually found the money in the 31st minute, as his near-side cross fell directly in front of Vanzeir, who slotted it to the back post of the goal. 1-0 RB. 

All seemed to be in New York’s control, as they cleanly passed the ball around, and only allowed Atlanta the miniscule of chances to capitalize. The 45th minute arrived, and the referee announced there would be three additional minutes left.

Atlanta realized they needed to wake up, and boy did they do so.

In the forty-eighth minute, Carballo conceded a foul in the penalty area while trying to deny Atlanta’s Jamal Thiere. Immediately, the referee issued a yellow card and a penalty kick, in which Alexei Miranchuk slotted the opposite direction of Coronel. In just their first shot on goal the whole game, United had tied it. The liveliness that was buzzing in Harrison just seconds ago had grown silent. The referee blew his whistle shortly after the kick, signifying the end of the first half, as well as a major problem for NY. 

The second half of the game saw Dennis Gjengaar, Harper, and Tolkin constantly threatening Atlanta with a variety of shots. Whether it be a low near-post shot, a high cross from the sides, or a through ball high and down the middle, goalie Guzan showed he still has what it takes to be in his position. He eventually ended the night with eight saves. The 60th minute approached; New York had 15 shots and seven on goal. Atlanta had 5 shots, 1 on goal. The recurring issue for NY of having plenty of shots, but with no results to show from it, was making itself known again.

From halftime until the final whistle, Atlanta looked quicker on counterattacks, dominating spaces in the middle with dangerous passing and dribbling. Additionally, Coronel was getting more touches and action in this half than the first; United looked ready to pounce once again. 

To combat this, head coach Sandro Schwarz sent in two key substitutions in the 68th minute. On came Ronald Donkor and Julian Hall, the 16-year-old who constantly seems to find himself at the right place and the right time for his club.

Red Bulls continued to get good looks from the sides, but unlike the first half, nobody could get their body on the end of it. In the 76th minute, Schwarz brought in Elias Manoel, utilizing the multi-positional player to get a more versatile and rounded attacking play. 

Just a mere 10 minutes later, the Brazilian found himself at the penalty spot, after a tangle up in the box with Atlanta’s Ajani Fortune. With minutes left in regulation, he squared up against Guzan. The substitute took his shot to the left, but Guzan matched his direction, punching the ball to the side. Still tied at one. 

Nine additional minutes would be added to the end of the game. Nine more minutes for the Red Bulls to make something, out of seemingly nothing. Possession went back and forth non-stop, but Atlanta’s Edwin Mosquera found the ball right outside the box on the near side, with plenty of space to attack. He took a few dribbles, and magnificently curled the ball into the far top right corner. Once again, the arena’s energy felt compressed. Some Red Bulls players looked around, stunned to have had it all together at one point, just to fall apart so intensely. RB was down 2-1 with mere minutes left.

But one player, rather than falling to the turf and accepting frustration, clapped his hands and tried to rally his troops. Elias Manoel. The denied penalty might’ve still rang in his head, but there was still game to be played… a whole seven and a half more minutes. The whistle blew to restart play, and Red Bulls continued to work. Dylan Nealis and Andres Reyes both had chances on frame, as their push for some points remained heavily at large. 

But finally, there was enough knocking on the door; the constant offensive pressure was too much for the away squad, despite them having almost nine players back to defend. In the 97th minute, the ball was switched from right to left field from Tolkin, then crossed into the middle by the speedster that is Hall. Elias Manoel timed his step away from the defender perfectly, moving into the middle of the box to smash the ball into the back of the net. The stadium erupted, the red fog and sparklers billowed, and Manoel quickly retrived the ball to restart play. Manoel made up for his miss earlier, and Julian Hall became the third youngest player in the MLS to record an assist. The Red Bulls never stopped their hustle, as the score now read two apiece.

Could the Red Bulls have won all three points? Absolutely. Lewis Morgan had an on-frame header saved on the left side in the 99th minute, and Dylan Nealis had a right-footed rifle from about six yards out that was the slightest bit misdirected. After 100 minutes, the whistle blew, signifying the end of this powerful matchup full of last-minute heroics. Nearly every player, both NY and Atlanta alike, laid down on the turf or fell to their knees, completely depleted after giving everything they could. Even the captain Edelman took a few seconds to regroup, before getting up to acknowledge his team and the opponents. Players, coaches, and fans alike were finally able to take a breath. 

The essential word of the postgame press conference was “mentality”. Coach Schwarz, Hall, and Edelman all repeatedly emphasized its significance, because sure, the Red Bulls wanted to win the game, and they had plenty of chances to do so. But consider the following; New York had an early lead, then a cheap shot right before halftime from the opponent to level. A constant battle of opportunities in the second half, ten minutes of extra time added, a physical game with 20 total fouls, a beautiful goal from the opponent to take the lead in the dying minutes. To top it off, a player who was denied on his penalty kick ten minutes before comes in clutch on his second shot to save his team a point.

The New York Red Bulls never let their morale sink low enough to limit their attacking prowess. Rather, they stepped up to the challenge, and delivered the last blow. Only certain teams have the capability and vigor to perform in such a way. Then again, the roster of the Red Bulls is a unique blend of newbies and experienced vets. Red runs deep, and whether that "red" is tenacity, motivation, timing, or a combination of all three traits and then some more, it's what saved them a point in this game.

The next matchup for the New York Red Bulls will be in a New York Derby matchup in their home fortress, when NYCFC comes to play at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday the 28th.

Lauren Reese is a Sports Web Editor and Assistant Sports Director for WSOU
Lauren can be reached at lauren.reese@student.shu.edu

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