Despite a late rally, the New York Red Bulls were unable to find a game-tying goal and fell to CD Chivas USA, 3-2, at the StubHub Center Sunday afternoon.
With New York down, 3-1, midfielder Dax McCarty scored his fourth goal of the season in the 86th minute to pull the visitors to within one, before Tim Cahill – who recorded New York’s opening tally in the 31st minute – had his on-target volley cleared off the line by Chivas USA defender Bobby Burling in second half stoppage time, preserving the three points for the hosts.
The loss kept the Red Bulls (11-9-6) in a second-place tie with Sporting Kansas City (11-9-6) at 39 points and two points adrift of Eastern Conference leader, the Montreal Impact (12-7-5). New York’s next match is on Saturday, Aug. 31, when they battle D.C. United at Red Bull Arena at 8:00 PM. Tickets for Red Bulls matches are available by calling 1.877.RBSOCCER or logging onto www.newyorkredbulls.com.
The Red Bulls put pressure on Chivas USA in the first half and in the sixth minute, Thierry Henry chipped it to an onside Fabian Espindola, who raced in and shot it right at goalkeeper Dan Kennedy. Less than two minutes later, Kennedy was forced to make another save on Espindola after the Argentine forward received a feed from Henry.
Kennedy again kept the Red Bulls scoreless with spectacular stop on Espindola in the 21st minute. Henry was played into space and passed it to Espindola, whose one-time shot was blocked by the Chivas USA goalkeeper. On the subsequent play, Cahill’s header from Henry’s corner kick was blocked off the line by Chivas USA.
Despite New York’s chances, Chivas USA scored against the run of play in the 30th minute. Carlos Alvarez slipped it to Julio Morales, who cut to his left foot at the top of the box and put a low shot past goalkeeper Luis Robles.
However, the Red Bulls responded immediately. Henry’s corner was headed by Cahill off the left post and over the line before Chivas USA defender Marco Delgado was able to volley it out, giving the Australian his seventh goal of the year.
Chivas USA retook the lead and earned a penalty kick in first half stoppage time when Red Bulls defender Ibrahim Sekagya was adjudged to have fouled Erick Torres in the penalty box. Torres stepped up and sent Robles the wrong way to make the score, 2-1, heading into halftime.
New York looked to tie the score in the 64th minute, as Jonny Steele cut it back to an open Henry. However, the Frenchman could not redirect the pass on target from 12-yards-out. Chivas USA hit the woodwork five minutes following Henry’s chance after a Torres roller was tipped by Robles off the left post.
Torres scored the eventual game winner in the 81st minute, getting to a loose ball in the penalty box and putting it home. The Red Bulls were able to pull one back four minutes from full time, as McCarty nodded in a Henry free kick to make the score, 3-2, before Cahill had his right-footed attempt cleared off the line by Burling.
New York Red Bulls 2, CD Chivas USA 3
August 25, 2013 – StubHub Center – Carson, CA
MLS Regular Season
Scoring Summary:
CHV: Julio Morales 1 (Carlos Alvarez 3) 30’
NY: Tim Cahill 7 (Thierry Henry 6) 31’
CHV: Erick Torres 3 (penalty kick) 47’+
CHV: Erick Torres 4 (unassisted) 81’
NY: Dax McCarty 4 (Thierry Henry 7) 86’
