A two-goal performance by John Wolyniec keyed a 3-0 New York Red Bulls win over the New England Revolution in Wednesday night’s U.S. Open Cup play-in match at Red Bull Arena.
“In the first half, the level of play was even on both sides,” said Red Bulls Head Coach Hans Backe. “But we dominated in the second half, not facing any serious threat at all.”
The Bulls’ first goal came in the 36th minute on a point-blank range shot from forward Wolyniec after Revolution goal keeper Bobby Shuttleworth parried a shot that Conor Chinn really should have buried.
Check out more photos from the match in the gallery.
In the second half, the Bulls scored on a free kick close to the box in the 62nd minute. The play was set up by midfielder Brian Nielsen, passing to Sinisa Ubiparipovic, who got off a terrific shot high into the upper right hand corner of the net. The third and final goal came after Wolyniec took advantage of another rebound in the 68th minute.
The Revs offense was not much of a factor throughout. Passes were either wild or well off-mark, flying far above intended targets and landing out of bounds. And there was a lot of lateral movement by the New England defense, shifting the attack (or lack thereof) from one side of the field to another without making any forward progress. This tactic cost the team 20-30 yards at each possession and prevented players from building any momentum.
For weeks, Bulls’ coach Backe bemoaned an “end-line to end-line” syndrome, calling for more control of the ball at midfield. Tonight the Bulls dominated midfield. Whether the problem is solved for good shall be determined when the Bulls face more capable opponents.
Brian Nielsen displayed his edge over the competition with solid playmaking, revealing potential to be a true “Spiel Kaiser” (top playmaker), with pinpoint passes long and short. Fellow midfielder Tony Tchani did not fare as well, and was replaced at half-time by Luke Sassano.
Wolyniec was taken out of the game in the 70th minute to be replaced by Juan Agudelo.
Backe’s team demonstrated great strides in gaining control at midfield. But the strikers, particularly Chinn, were unable to finish well, often fizzling at the goal mouth after midfielders get the ball to them.
“We saw a lot of lost opportunities through missed shots,” Backe said. “Taking the ball through the last third of the field and finishing well is what it’s all about.”
Backe’s analysis is spot on because there were indeed a dozen or so chances to score that fizzled once the Bulls managed to get the ball inside the box. In the last ten minutes alone, Nielsen, Ubiparipovic, and Agudelo each missed several shots. By that time, the game had been reduced to “shooting fish in a barrel” but the Bulls couldn’t come up with anything else against a weak New England defense.
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Match Facts
New York Red Bulls 3, New England Revolution 0
May 12, 2010 – Red Bull Arena; Harrison, NJ
Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Preliminary Round Match
Scoring Summary:
NY: John Wolyniec 1 (unassisted) 36’
NY: Sinisa Ubiparipovic 1 (Brian Nielsen 1) 62’
NY: John Wolyniec 2 (unassisted) 64’
Disciplinary Summary:
NE: Pat Phelan (caution) 88’
Lineups:
New York Red Bulls – Greg Sutton (GK), Chris Albright (Irving Garcia 63’), Carlos Mendes, Andrew Boyens, Danleigh Borman, Jeremy Hall, Sinisa Ubiparipovic, Tony Tchani (Luke Sassano 46’), Brian Nielsen, John Wolyniec (Juan Agudelo 76’), Conor Chinn
Substitutes Not Used: Bouna Coundoul, Roy Miller
New England Revolution – Bobby Shuttleworth, Marko Perovic, Zak Boggs, Seth Sinovic (Khano Smith 61’), Chris Tierney, Nico Colaluca, Pat Phelan, Joseph Niouky, Kenny Mansally, Kheli Dube, Zack Schilawski
Substitutes Not Used: Tim Murray, Sainey Nyassi
Referee: Shane Moody
Referee’s Assistants: Greg Barkey, Brian Dunn
4th Referee: Jose Carlos Rivero
Attendance: 1,935
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