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New York Red Bulls: Hudson River Derby Series Ends in 1-1 Tie (Highlights)

A Tremendous Amount Is on the Line for Red Bulls in Latest New York Derby 2
HARRISON, NJ - JUNE 24: New York Red Bulls midfielder Tyler Adams (4) goes up against New York City FC midfielder Alexander Ring (8) during the first half of the Major League Soccer game between the New York Red Bulls and New York City FC on June 24, 2017, at Red Bull Arena in Harrison, NJ. (Photo by Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

The New York Red Bulls hosted New York City FC Friday night at Red Bull Arena. This game capped off the series of regular season matches between the two sides.

The New York Red Bulls and NYCFC played to a 1-1 draw in Harrison, NJ Friday night. NYCFC’s Maximiliano Moralez scored the opening goal in the 56th minute with the assist from David Villa.

Video Assistant Referee will be definitely be a discussion because of this match, as shown in the second half. RBNY’s Bradley Wright-Phillips was brought down early in the second half in the box. Neither the referee or VAR made the call. A penalty was then given to RBNY after Sacha Kljestan was tripped up inside the box. Gonzalo Veron stepped up and evened the score as he slotted it in the NYCFC goal in the 70th minute.

First Half Highlights

The first half of the game was quite an electric one. The New York Red Bulls found themselves with most of the possession and most of the goal-scoring opportunities.

Early on in the match, Luis Robles made an outstanding save on a Maxi Moralez head-ball. Robles fingertip-saved the ball from slipping by him and into the net.

Late in the first half, Michael Murillo had an opportunity from a Bradley Wright-Phillips pass. Murillo received it near the corner of the six and tried to chip Johnson. Unfortunately, the shot hit the post.

David Villa was also held to zero shots in the first half.

First Half Stats

Score: RBNY 0 – NYCFC 0
Shots: RBNY 15 – NYCFC 2
Shots on Goal: RBNY 2 – NYCFC 1
Possession: RBNY 63.8% – NYCFC 36.2%

Second Half Highlights

The big controversy came early in the second half. A perfect chip ball from the right side by Sacha Kljestan was delivered to BWP in the six-yard box. BWP, however, was taken down from behind in the box by a NYCFC defender. What definitely should have been declared a penalty kick was not given. Video Assistant Referee also failed to make the right call.

Only three minutes later, in the 56th minute, Maximiliano Moralez received a ball from David Villa into the 18-yard box. A sloppy RBNY defense was unable to defend Moralez as he slipped the ball by Luis Robles.

This was certainly a disappointment for RBNY supporters as a system that was put into play to aid difficult calls like this failed.

In the 68th minute, a penalty kick opportunity was earned by RBNY. Kljestan was roughed up as he entered the 18-yard box.

Surprisingly, Gonzalo Veron stepped up to take the penalty kick. Veron’s penalty kick was successful as he powered it past Johnson. The goal was scored in the 70th minute, shortly after Veron was substituted on.

In the 77th minute, David Villa tried to chip Luis Robles from nearly half field. He was almost successful, but his kick was a bit too hard and sailed over the crossbar into the upper part of the net.

A questionable substitution in the last few minutes of the game saw Dilly Duka come on for BWP.

In the end, the New York Red Bulls and New York City FC tied 1-1. This was the first tie between the two sides.

Final Stats

Score: RBNY 1 – NYCFC 1
Shots: RBNY 21 – NYCFC 9
Shots on Goal: RBNY 4 – NYCFC 3
Possession: RBNY 61.6% – NYCFC 38.4%

Chris Sudol is a former college soccer player who now avidly supports the New York Red Bulls, Arsenal, and Barcelona, among many other soccer teams.