Red Bulls Shut Out Wizards 1-0 Saturday to Clinch a Playoff Berth and Take Over First Place in the Eastern Conference – What a Difference a Year Makes

My friends and I went to Krug’s in Newark on Saturday for burgers then walked over the Jackson Street Bridge to the Cathedral of Football to root on the Red Bulls. It was one friend’s first trip to Red Bull Arena and he was impressed. We were happy to sit next to the supporters and root on the Red Bulls as they shut out the Kansas City Wizards 1-0 in front of what looked to be close to a sellout crowd. With the victory the Red Bulls clinched a playoff berth and leapfrogged over Columbus to take over first place in the Eastern Conference. Dane Richards scored the lone goal early on in the 6th minute which was his 4th goal in the last five games, just amazing. He has made a quite a turnaround this season and has become one of the most valuable players on the team. I was disappointed to hear from one friend that Rafa Marquez would sit this one out but happy to see Thierry Henry on the field. Recent addition Mehdi Ballouchy played a little deeper in the midfield for Rafa. This was not the type of game the Red Bulls have been playing lately with a lot of ball control and possession. It was marred with turnovers and giveaways in their own end of the field that often left Bouna Condoul (Bouna Time) to be the last line of defense. Bouna Time made save after save and was a machine in goal for the Red Bulls as he had 12 saves. I kept saying the Red Bulls need to play the game in KC’s end of the field. Marquez was sorely missed and I hope he’s back soon to take on the role of Man in the Middle. Henry looked a bit slow and didn’t have that burst to the ball as it was serviced to him. On two occasions TH14 could not get to the ball quickly and that gave time for the Wizard defenders to break up the play. The Red Bulls had scoring chances in the 2nd half as Henry came streaking down the left side and missed just wide of the far post and Richards was one-on-one with the keeper along the right side and hit the near post. Carl Robinson was subbed in for Henry very late in the game. As the Man of the Match voting appeared on the screen my friend asked me who it should be, and I said it had to be Bouna Time. The rest of the fans felt the same way and it was well deserved. With each save he got me out of my seat. Three Red Bulls were called for yellow card fouls (Roy Miller, Carlos Mendes and Mehdi Ballouchy). My Wife and I are looking forward to going to the Cathedral of Football next Saturday vs. Real Salt City and She’ll get to wear her new scarf. LET’S GO RED BULLS!