Photo by Jim O’Connor/USA TODAY Sports
By CAITLIN MURRAY
The New York Red Bulls weren’t playing for much Wednesday. After all, they had already been eliminated from the CONCACAF Champions League. And so, they fielded a young, inexperienced side against Montreal Impact’s veterans.
But the Red Bulls bowed out holding onto some dignity at home as they spoiled the Impact’s hopes for perfection, equalizing late for a 1-1 draw to finish group play.
The Red Bulls’ Connor Lade, who has been on loan with the New York Cosmos since July, scored the equalizer and ruined the party for the Impact, who were looking to secure an all-important top-four seed with a win.
With a draw, the Impact forfeited what would’ve been a perfect run of group play in CCL action and will need to await other results to see where they are seeded for the tournament knockout rounds.
In the 85h minute, in his first goal at Red Bull Arena, Lade gently redirected an Armando pass to keep the ball out of goalkeeper Evan Bush’s reach on free kick service from Ruben Bover Izquierdo.
Andrés Romero opened scoring in the 71st minute as he drove at goal, cutting through the Red Bulls defense, and slipped a pass to Jack McInerney running at the opposite post for the tap-in.
Both teams will shift focus to the Major League Soccer playoffs, where they sit in different boats. The Impact will finish their season Saturday at the bottom of the Eastern Conference hosting D.C. United. The Red Bulls visit Sporting Kansas City on Sunday in match that could dictate the road they travel in the playoffs, for which they’ve already qualified.
Here are the match highlights:
Game was pretty painful to watch but I guess that is expected when you have a B-C NYRB team and….Montreal.
Did they announce the attendance? I couldn’t believe that as of yesterday afternoon, the team was still selling (as opposed to giving away) tickets. The meaningless character of the game and the atrocious weather on a weeknight was a perfect storm (no pun intended) for an empty stadium. To those who went to the game: what’s your estimate? Did fans outnumber players + staff + stadium employees?
Good for Connor Lade, though. He’s been a good soldier throughout this trying season. I look for good things from him next year.
That would be a no, there were several thousand all over the arena. The staff were thanking all of us as we left and it was surprising to get that many. The rain went sideways and the usual protection from the roof was a NOT.
Connor Lade was the best player on the field, including whatever players Montreal had. Gee, could this make sense to have a team in the lower division so our bench can get game minutes?
Full credit to you for braving the elements and supporting the team. Nice to hear that the staff was so appreciative. I understand that Luis Robles and Eric Alexander were even in the South Ward.
Completely agree about having a team in the lower division. The younger players on the field last night get precious little playing time with the big club. Imagine how much faster they would advance, and how much sooner RBNY would get a reliable sense of their potential and limitations, if they were playing a full game every week.
Cosmos were angry at the Red Bulls for recalling Lade for a meaningless game. They had a handshake agreement that he wouldn’t be recalled for the rest of the season. Cosmos won’t take anymore Red Bulls players on loan.
Oh no how ever will the Red Bull survive?!
Who cares about Hempstead Cosmos?
who cares what the cosmos think? He’s not their player
A well deserved performance and recognition. His time with the Cosmos benefitted both Him and the Cosmos and his parent organization. Hopefully it keeps him on their roster for next year… If not I’m sure he can find employment with a team in New York.