Red Bulls stumble late at RSL

Two second-half goals have New York finishing year winless on road

Late goals by Andy Williams and Fabian Espindola provided the decisive margin for the home team for a victory that effectively keeps RSL's playoff hopes alive with two regular season games remaining.

The early going featured a few half-chances for both teams as they felt each other out. In the opening 10 minutes Sinisa Ubiparipovic fanned on a good opportunity for New York, and Espindola shot wide for Salt Lake. Salt Lake had the first good chance of the match in the 12th minute. After a foul right at the top of the 18-yard box, Javier Morales struck a bending free kick on goal. Danny Cepero dove to his left and was able to push the ball over the endline to deny RSL.

The Red Bulls got their first good opportunity of the night in the 19th minute. After a corner kick from the right side bounced around the RSL penalty area, Danleigh Borman hit a hard volley on goal from 20 yards, but it was cleared by the RSL defense near the top of the 6-yard box.

It was RSL again in the 33rd minute when Espindola collected a cross in the left corner of the penalty area, turned and fired a low, hard left-footed shot that was saved by Cepero. On the ensuing corner kick, Will Johnson fired a low line drive that was knocked away by the New York defense.

Just one minute later, the Red Bulls caught Real sleeping and counterattacked with Macoumba Kandji up the left wing. Kandji dribbled unimpeded into the left side of the penalty area and took a low shot, but he missed wide of the far post.

Espindola nearly broke the ice again in the 42nd minute. The Argentinean chested the ball down after a long pass over the defense by Clint Mathis, took a touch into the left side of the penalty box and fired a hard shot to the far post. But once again, Cepero dove and just got enough of a finger on it to push the ball a few inches wide.

RSL came out aggressive in the second half, and they nearly hit the back of the net in the 48th minute off the foot of Kyle Beckerman. Johnson crossed from the right side to a wide open Beckerman on the left. Beckerman cut inside and shot with his left foot, but Borman was in the right place to clear it away.

Then in the 50th minute, New York had their best chance of the match. Jeremy Hall received the ball in the left side of the Salt Lake 18-yard box while under heavy pressure. He was just able to nudge a pass back to Albert Celades, straightaway at the top of the box. Seeing that RSL goalkeeper Nick Rimando was slightly off his line, Celades tried to chip it over him, but he missed high by just a few inches.

In the 56th minute, it was Johnson's turn again for Real as he hit a hard shot from long range. The bouncing shot short-hopped Cepero, but he was able to make the difficult save and hang onto it in front of two eager Salt Lakers expecting a rebound.

Things quieted down until the 71st minute when Espindola again created a dangerous chance for RSL. Creating some space for himself on the left side of the goal about 12 yards out, he shot with his left foot, but Mike Petke was there to block it. New York kept plenty of men in and around the penalty area all game, and it paid off as they were able to deflect a number of shots before Cepero was forced into making saves.

But RSL were finally able to break through in the 80th minute. Ironically, it was a near-goal by New York that led to Salt Lake getting on the board. Defender Carlos Johnson had a shot from 12 yards knocked away by Jamison Olave. Olave quickly played out to Morales on the right side, who played it forward to Robbie Findley. After a run down the flank, Findley crossed a long ball to the far post where an unmarked Andy Williams volleyed it into the net.

As New York pushed forward looking for the equalizer, Salt Lake were able to generate a few more chances. They got their insurance goal in the 90th minute when Espindola got to a ball quicker than his defender, raced up the left side, and put a beautiful bending shot inside the far post past a helpless Cepero.

New York wraps up the 2009 season on Oct. 24 as they play host to Toronto FC. The match will represent the end of an era as the Red Bulls will be playing their final match in Giants Stadium. They will open the 2010 season at Red Bull Arena.

Jeremy Horton is a contributor to MLSnet.com.

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