Photo by Noah K. Murray/USA TODAY Sports
By MATT STYPULKOSKI
Bradley Wright-Phillips was determined to make sure MLS’ first New York rivalry match went the way of the New York Red Bulls.
The Englishman opened the scoring in the fourth minute, turning in a Lloyd Sam cross on the volley from six yards out. Then, despite being reduced to 10 men, Wright-Phillips managed to extend the Red Bulls lead with a strike on the counter in the 51st minute, earning the forward recognition as SBI MLS Player of the Week.
The brace proved enough to give the Red Bulls the edge in their first-ever match against NYCFC, as the Harrison-based side hung on for a 2-1 victory. It also helped snap a three-match winless run for the Red Bulls, who now sit two points off the pace in the Eastern Conference, and kept their cross-river rivals without a victory since their March 15 home opener.
As a result, Wright-Phillips earned SBI’s MLS Player of the Week honors ahead of Kei Kamara, Pedro Morales and Mauro Diaz.
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What did you think of Wright-Phillips’ performance? Which player stood out to you this past weekend?
Share your thoughts below.
Two goals isn’t that difficult when you’re playing against imbeciles. Well done, though.
Wright-Phillips barely had to aim for either of his empty-net strikes. Lloyd Sam did more for both of those goals.
This absolutely stinks of SBI hometown bias. Kei Kamara scored two goals and helped Columbus beat one of the leagues top teams. NYCFC has 6 points on the season.
Not passing to Perrinelle was inexcusable! Your playing with 10 men in a very heated match. Lay it off get the easy goal and put the game out of reach. I lost a little respect for bwp on that play. Personal stats mean nothing if your team loses.
Too bad he had “tunnel vision”. Otherwise he would have added an assist to Damien Perrinelle on that break away.
The SBI dictionary describes “tunnel vision” as “something commonly seen in a selfish striker working on a hat trick. Oftentimes tunnel vision is detrimental to his team, but when successful covers the striker in glory”.
Based on that play alone, I would not have given BWP player of the week honors. So selfish…