The New York Red Bulls were forced to settle for a single point at home to FC Cincinnati on Wednesday night as the two Eastern Conference sides played to a goalless stalemate at Red Bull Arena.
The home side had numerous chances to take all three points and snap a four-game winless streak, but some profligate finishing enabled Cincinnati to claim a valuable road point as both sides remained below the playoff line.
The Red Bulls dominated out of their gate, with their familiar pressing penning Cincinnati back. And within five minutes they had the woodwork rattling. Played into space by Caden Clark, Patryk Kilmala's first touch bounced up on him and his subsequent volley cannoned back off Kenneth Vermeer's crossbar.
An even better opening arrived in the 28th minute, but again the Red Bulls failed to take advantage. This time Wikelman Carmona was played clear through on goal by Fabio only for the teenage Venezuelan to shoot wide of the near post. Carmona was again the culprit six minutes into the second half, coming up with an even more glaring miss when the goal appeared at his mercy after Vermeer parried a Cristian Casserers Jr. shot straight into his path. Yet Carmona somehow failed to hit the target.
The chances kept coming, and going, for Gerhard Struber's men. Midway through the second half, it was Fabio's turn to fail to make the most of an opening when he received a low ball across the face of the box on a Red Bulls breakaway. But his shot was blocked by a recovering defender.
Cincinnati's sole spell of attacking pressure came at the end of the first half, culminating in a series of corners, one of which saw defender Nick Hagglund header's well turned over the bar by Carlos Coronel.
Goals
- None
Three Things
- BIG PICTURE: This was a major opportunity for the Red Bulls to claim just their second win in their last eight games, instead the playoff line remains agonizingly out of reach. It's hard to fault the overall performance of Struber's side, but their touch in front of goal will need to improve if they're to make the postseason. Cincinnati, meanwhile, set up like a side that wouldn't be too disappointed to take a point back to Ohio, even if it extends their winning run to seven games.
- MOMENT OF THE MATCH: We could go with any number of the Red Bulls' chances, but how different might the night have been had Patryk Kilmala's shot been just a few inches lower in the fifth minute?
- MAN OF THE MATCH: Cristian Casseres Jr. may not have had his best night, but he still did more than most to try to get the Red Bulls all three points. His usual combativeness in the middle was complemented with five shots, one of which really should have led to a goal from Carmona.
Next Up
- RBNY: Sunday, August 8 at Chicago Fire FC | 6 pm ET (MLS LIVE on ESPN+)
- CIN: Saturday, August 7 vs. Orlando City SC | 7:30 pm ET (MLS LIVE on ESPN+)
