New York Red Bulls maintain unbeaten home record by beating FC Cincinnati 3-1

The New York Red Bulls’ unbeaten home record, the only one of its kind in Major League Soccer, was set to be tested by FC Cincinnati, the reigning winners of the Supporters’ Shield and the team with the best away record in the competition. That didn’t happen, however, as the New Jersey stronghold held on to win 3-1.

Cincinnati has been unable to capitalize on a Messi-less Inter Miami in the standings. This is largely due to Miami’s impressive results in Messi’s absence, but is also the result of a few missteps from the Ohio team.

Inter Miami is also the only team with a better home record than the Red Bulls. Miami is not undefeated, but has 27 points to the Red Bulls’ 26.

Cincinnati stumbled again on Saturday night in New Jersey, as the Red Bulls maintained their unbeaten run on the banks of the Passaic River into 2024.

The Red Bulls’ opening goal came on a long pass from Dylan Nealis, over or through the entire high pressure and defensive line of Cincinnati to Elias Manoel.

The Brazilian sprinted past the byline before closing in on an unmarked Lewis Morgan in the middle. Three Cincinnati defenders chased Manoel instead of following Morgan’s run, and the No.9 finished well past Roman Celentano.

The Red Bulls have a long-standing reputation for chaotic football, but this season that’s less of a feature. They’re certainly not as frantic in their pressing as previous iterations of this team. They’re currently countering more than counterpressing under head coach Sandro Schwarz.

According to data from WhoScored, no team has scored more goals from the counterattack in MLS this season than the Red Bulls (10).

Taking the lead would have been the ideal scenario for New York Red Bulls. FC Cincinnati were already pushing high and applying pressure, but Pat Noonan’s team now had to chase the game.

The Red Bulls had more chances in the first half, with Morgan seeing a shot saved by Celentano and Daniel Edelman firing the rebound just over the far post from outside the penalty area.

After taking the lead at half-time, the Red Bulls really started to execute their game plan.

Cincinnati introduced star player and reigning MLS MVP Luciano Acosta, along with one of their most effective wingers this season, Luca Orellano, but it didn’t help them.

Within 15 minutes of the second half, the Red Bulls were ahead 3-0.

Kyle Duncan converted the top corner from outside the penalty area – the obligatory MLS match golazo – before Morgan added his second goal from a knockdown by Wikelman Carmona.

While pressing football hasn’t been as prominent for the Red Bulls this season, it’s still a feature. The play that led to the third goal came after some pressure from the front four of Carmona, Morgan, Manoel and Dennis Gjengaar, which led to a turnover. The lead on goal started from there.

Noah Eile found the emerging midfielder Ronald Donkor and after his break from midfield he played the ball wide to Gjangaar, whose cross led to the goal.

It could have been more than three for the Red Bulls. Celentano saved from close range from Morgan and there were chances at the end, including a good one for Gjengaar that he could not convert.

Cincinnati had only one chance in the second half and scored from it. Some sloppy play with some equally uncivilized defending led to a goal for Corey Baird, initially ruled offside but confirmed as a goal by referee Ted Unkel after reviewing the replay.

FC Cincinnati had 65% possession but registered only three shots on target with another blocked. In comparison, the Red Bulls had 14 shots on target with five blocked. It proves once again that a team can dominate a game without dominating possession.

“Our game plan was to be active from the start and find good moments in our pressing,” head coach Schwarz said after the game.

“Today we start more from a 4-2-3-1 and control the opponent’s 6-space more. Lewis against the ball comes more from the 10-space.

“There were a lot of good moments in the transition and we scored from those moments too. It was a really good performance from the whole team.”

The Red Bulls enter the competition break in a good position for a top-four finish in the Eastern Conference when the season resumes in late August.