Villa, Harrison propel NYCFC to 2-0 victory over Red Bulls

The New York Red Bulls fell to New York City FC (NYCFC) for the first time in the history of the Hudson River Derby. “We absolutely expect that they’re going to come full force”, Robles told ESPN. In easier terms, 14 months to the day of the very first meeting between both NYCFC and the Red Bulls at Red Bull Arena, a 2-1 Red Bull win on May 10, 2015. “What I’m pleased with is our performance and the way we played today because people were expecting a reaction from us from the way we played in the last game against them”. Currently, New York has only been able to snatch one win on the road and that was against the same NYCFC team that topped them this week.

In fact, NYC FC used that ploy in the build up to David Villa’s insurance goal in the 66th minute.

“I just kind of hit it and hoped for the best”, Harrison said. It was their first ever victory over the Red Bulls in five attempts. The former English global sent a streaking Jack Harrison a ideal feed down the right flank and the teenager set up Villa, who had no problem slotting the ball home.

The ball was not getting in the box and the Red Bulls’ plan of attack was putting shots on net outside the box.

Throughout the first half, the Blues were sharper on the ball than the Red Bulls, who were coming off a brutal stretch of six games in 18 days.

The Red Bulls return home this week for two matches, first for a friendly against Liga MX side Club America on Wednesday night, and then an MLS contest against reigning MLS Cup Champions the Portland Timbers on Sunday, July 10. Harrison’s emergence has taken the pressure off Villa as defenses can no longer shut down NYCFC’s attack by double- and triple-team the Spanish designated player. Aurelien Collin, who was brought in to stabilize the backline, picked up a late red card in a losing effort in Salt Lake.

“Like I’m going to mention to the players, that was a one-off game”, head coach Patrick Vieira said on the team Web site. A win against NYCFC might be the key in turning their fortunes around. Even though Villa, Lampard, Pirlo and the rest of the NYCFC squad grabbed their first win against the crosstown rivals, grabbing first place in the eastern conference is what matters the most today. Red Bulls’ poor opening run could have left them completely adrift in the standings, or at least operating with the type of margin for error that no MLS team is likely to navigate without slipping, but that is not the case. If they can play like this at home for the rest of the season, it would be hard to see them missing the playoffs.