By RYAN TOLMICH
It may not have been ideal, but the New York Red Bulls got what they came for against FC Dallas. Despite a less-than-impressive effort, the Red Bulls picked up a 1-0 victory at Toyota Park via a second-half goal from red-hot Bradley Wright-Phillips .
It didn’t take long for things to shift in favor of the visitors. FC Dallas defender Je-Vaughn Watson was issued a red card in the 10th minute for a studs-up foul on Red Bulls midfielder Tim Cahill, giving the Red Bulls an early advantage.
Despite being a man down, it was FC Dallas who proved to be the aggressor for much of the match, with the hosts outshooting the opposition 11-9 on the afternoon. FC Dallas’ best opportunity of the game came via a 59th minute penalty after a Cahill foul in the box on a FC Dallas counterattack. Blas Perez’s ensuing shot was saved by a diving Luis Robles, who finished the game with three saves.
Unfortunately for the hosts, the Red Bulls capitalized on their biggest chance of the afternoon, as Wright-Phillips 71st minute goal proved to be enough for the Red Bulls to escape with the victory.
The goalscoring play was initiated by Red Bulls midfielder Dax McCarty, whose through ball from the midfield found a streaking Thierry Henry in the attacking third. Henry then slid the ball across the box as the FC Dallas defense swarmed, finding Wright-Phillips on the back post for an easy finish. It was the fifth goal in three games for the Red Bulls striker and his sixth goal of the season.
It may not have been the prettiest win for the Red Bulls, but Wright-Phillips and co. now find themselves tied for the top spot in the Eastern Conference riding a four-game unbeaten streak. The loss sees FC Dallas drop to third in the Western Conference, just three points behind the Seattle Sounders.
Here are the match highlights:
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bn6u5OSSmGE]