What Road Bump? RBNY 3 – Crew 1

By: Dave Martinez | October 19th, 2008

Don’t tell me it was the Columbus Reserves, don’t tell me it was a gift, don’t ruin my parade – THE RED BULLS WON! And now they are a gentle whisper away from the final Wild Card berth. And to think, Andrew Boyens thought the Crew would throw the kitchen sink at them . . . . but I digress.

Riding the backs of Juan Pablo Angel and Danny Cepero (YES, DANNY CEPERO), and relying on a depleted defensive line, the Red Bulls did what winners do in these situations, burying home 2 goals in the clutch to seal a victory and a potential playoff berth. Juan Pablo opened up the scoring as he beat a rushing Will Hesmer low, for a dribbling strike that eventually found its way to the net. Not to be outdone by his former River enemy, Guillermo Barros Schelotto turned on the motors and drew a set piece 25 yards from goal. A perfectly placed cross, and a well struck header put the game up for grabs heading into the second.

As the second half hit a bit of a lull, Juan Pablo Angel was there to electrify once more. With a beautiful, defense breaking feed from Mac Kandji, Angel broke through the malaise and send a screamer into the net for the game winning goal.

Then, the historic happened. In the first time in MLS history, a goalkeeper scored. And it wasn’t a PK. Nor a set piece. We are talking about an 82 yard blast that took a Giant Stadium Turf bounce way over Andy Gruenebaum’s head, and directly into the net. Danny Cepero? Welcome to New York!

With the win, the Red Bulls are one step closer to the postseason. Their final trial by Fire comes in Chicago this week (you like that play on words don’tcha!).

MAN OF THE MATCH

Juan Pablo Angel. Thank goodness I loaded up on his stock last week! Angel showed us all why he wears the armband with this bunch. The clutch, and composed captain, with so much turmoil in the RB universe, was able to stear the ship through the storm as calm and collected as ever.

TURNING POINT OF THE MATCH

I would say that it was Juanpie’s second goal, but looking strictly at body language, the Crew did try to immediately bounce back after it. It wasn’t until Cepero’s 82 yard, New York Jets envying field goal that deflated the boys in yellow, and secured the victory.

WHAT THE &$!*& MOMENT OF THE MATCH