photo by Jim O’Connor/USA Today Sports

By FRANCO PANIZO

HARRISON, N.J. — The New York Red Bulls have been one of the best teams throughout the early stages of the MLS season, and they reminded the San Jose Earthquakes of that very fact on Friday.

New York continued its undefeated start to the 2015 campaign, cruising to a 2-0 victory over San Jose at Red Bull Arena on Friday. Sacha Kljestan and Mike Grella scored six minutes apart in the first half, but the Red Bulls were the better side throughout the 90 minutes, out-shooting the Earthquakes 21-10 and winning the possession battle 57-43.

Kljestan netted the winner and opened his Red Bulls account in the 29th minute off a low cross that was redirected by Bradley Wright-Phillips, and Grella followed that up with a 35th-minute strike from close range.

The Earthquakes had opportunities late to make things interesting, but an inability to finish combined with some strong saves from Red Bulls goalkeeper Luis Robles left the visitors with no points.

Both sides struggled to find a rhythm early on, but Red Bulls centerback Matt Miazga quickly tested David Bingham with a sixth-minute header that the Earthquakes goalkeeper grabbed with both hands.

Jesse Marsch’s side settled as the game wore on, and found its reward in just before the half-hour mark. New York forced a turnover deep in San Jose’s end, allowing Felipe hit a low cross that Wright-Phillips tried pushing home. The ball was mis-hit, however, and fortuitously fell to Kljestan yards from goal for a tap-in finish.

The Red Bulls began pouring it on from there. Felipe bent a shot from 20 yards out two minutes later that skipped wide left, and Grella then added to the lead after Lloyd Sam hit a pinpoint cross from the right side of the penalty area.

Left back Kemar Lawrence nearly made it 3-0 in the 41st minute, unleashing a spectacular volley from 30 yards that Bingham managed to paw over the crossbar for a corner kick.

Dom Kinnear’s side came out of the intermission continuing to struggle, giving up headed chances to both Damien Perrinelle and Dax McCarty.

It was not until Chris Wondolowski and Tommy Thompson were inserted into the match that the Earthquakes began creating real chances. Wondolowski, who is dealing with a minor injury, tried his luck in the 73rd minute with a shot that buzzed over the crossbar.

Innocent Emeghara then had a late chance to provide hope for the Earthquakes, but his initial shot from the right side of the penalty area was blocked by Robles before the follow-up attempt was smashed into the side netting.

The victory moved the Red Bulls to 3-0-2 on the year, and into first place in the Eastern Conference. San Jose dropped to 3-4.

The Red Bulls will next put their unbeaten record on the line against the reigning champion LA Galaxy on April 26. The Earthquakes have a longer wait for their next match, as they do not take the field again until visiting Real Salt Lake on May 1.