Grella scores fastest goal in MLS history

It set the ball rolling for a 4-1 victory, which ensured the Red Bulls finished top of the Eastern Conference and qualify for the MLS Cup play-offs.

Barely three minutes later, Wright-Phillips was left unmarked at the far post on Sacha Kljestan’s right side corner kick, which was relayed through by defender Damien Perrinelle. “I think he really wanted to established himself because he knew this was his home”.

Often overused, “unbelievable” may just be an apt description of the first 45 minutes at Red Bull Arena.

With one week remaining in the season, the New York Red Bulls have control of their Shield destiny. With three Union defenders surrounding him hardly any room to shoot, Grella again beat Blake to the low near left post for his ninth goal this season. Bradley Wright-Phillips and Kemar Lawrence also tallied for the Red Bulls, while Sebastian Le Toux scored a consolation marker for the Union.

“(It was a) great first half, bad second half”, McCarty said. “But the second half’s not good enough, we have to make sure that doesn’t happen again”.

Following a loss in Toronto in which Marsch stated that all 11 starters weren’t up for the gravity of the moment, the Red Bulls needed to bounce back on short rest. “Looking back to have a goal that early was incredible, but to have two in the first five minutes, that puts it away”.

Grella also scored in the 17th minute to give New York (17-10-6) a 3-0 lead.

The goal was scored in just seven seconds, making it the fastest goal ever in MLS history.

The assist gave McCarty a career-high eight assists. Seconds later, Le Toux put Philly on the board, taking Tranquillo Barnetta’s feed and racing down the right flank before beating Luis Robles to cut the deficit to 4-1.