By Sylvana Budesheim // @WhiteZinWench
Saturday, October 7th: 3-0 Win
Well, it’s a marvelous night for a moondance
With the stars up above in your eyes
A fantabulous night to make romance
‘Neath the cover of October skies–Van Morrison
It was ‘neath the cover of October skies that the New York Red Bulls (13-12-7, 34 points) clinched the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference, now for the 8th straight season, with a win against Western Conference leaders the Vancouver Whitecaps (15-11-6, 31 points). September was a mess, but as coach Jesse Marsch said after the match, the team was able to turn the page:
“…September was difficult for us and disappointing. You know, we were all
disappointed with the results. But we continued to feel that we were playing well, and it was just a matter of time before we were going to start to have it add up more.”
Fans were stressed. The team was missing chances and dropping points. Mistakes were destroying morale and injuries are still whittling away at the team’s depth. Three players heeded national call-ups (Michael Amir Murillo and Fidel Ecsobar to Panama, and Derrick Etienne to Haiti), reducing team strength even further. But Marsch found a way to right the ship.
“Yeah, I mean, I’ll be honest. I’ve been challenging our defenders… to perform at a higher level because we’ve made too many mistakes. […W]e felt like if we could shore that up; if we could find the right balance of personnel and performance in the back that the rest will take care of itself, because there’s a lot of good things happening. So you know, got three good performances from the guys at center back…”
That would be Damien Perrinelle, Aaron Long, and Kemar Lawrence. Lawrence, who played a major role in Jamaica’s Gold Cup run, declined the call for an international friendly in Saudi Arabia. The team, the fans, and my fantasy lineup all heaved a sigh of relief. It’s just too bad that Lawrence got himself a yellow card in the 84th minute and is now suspended for the next game.
Meanwhile back on offense, “all the night’s magic” made the fans stand up and cheer. Forward Danny Royer, just recently back from injury, shot the ball across the face of the goal and in for the 12th time this season in the 33rd minute.
Welcome back Danny Royer! No. 7️⃣7️⃣ puts New York ahead! ⚽️#NYvVAN | #RBNY pic.twitter.com/O8bXPCHGF5
— New York Red Bulls (@NewYorkRedBulls) October 7, 2017
And then, after a call for offside earlier in the match, Bradley Wright-Phillips did what he does best, for the 86th time in his MLS career (and the 17th this season).
This man is UNSTOPPABLE!! BWP doubles the lead for New York! ⚽️#NYvVAN | #RBNY pic.twitter.com/CXA54SlatQ
— New York Red Bulls (@NewYorkRedBulls) October 7, 2017
But wait– there’s more! For the 3rd time this season, Midfielder Felipe found the back of the net despite traffic in the box and BWP at his side.
.@FeliMartins8 with an absolute rocket from distance!!! 🚀⚽️#NYvVAN | #RBNY pic.twitter.com/fxViQnESU7
— New York Red Bulls (@NewYorkRedBulls) October 7, 2017
As for assists, captain Sacha Kljestan posted 2 more on the night, bringing his season total to 17. Kljestan just might be on track to rack up 20 assists on the season for the 2nd year in a row. Mighty impressive, if you ask me.
So with two games to go, post season plans are being made. Let’s (Moon)dance.
Featured image courtesy: @NewYorkRedBulls
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