New Red Bulls 17-year-old debutant Caden Clark scored the game-winner on his debut as the New York Red Bulls earned a big 1-0 road win over rivals Atlanta United at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
Clark started just hours after he was formally announced as RBNY's newest acquisition and he proved the difference-maker, volleying in the game’s only goal in the 47th minute.
Clark's winner overshadowed another notable debut: that of Atlanta United Designated Player Marcelino Moreno, who put in a solid 61-minute shift and showed the class and passing that made him a big-money signing brought in to replace Pity Martinez.
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Neither goalkeeper was tested much in the first half as neither side had a shot on goal. Atlanta threatened in the final 10 minutes of the opening half and nearly forced an own goal when a shot by Jake Mulraney deflected off of RBNY’s Daniel Royer, but hit the crossbar.
The Red Bulls came out swinging to start the second half, with Royer getting the first shot on goal of the game two minutes in. Atlanta United goalkeeper Brad Guzan dove to his left to make the outstretched save and conceded a corner.
From the corner kick, Clark found himself in the right place at the right time when a header went out to the young midfielder, who was all alone at the top of the box. Clark volleyed it past Guzan for his first MLS goal in his first MLS match. After a check for a potential offside on the play, the goal was allowed.
Atlanta nearly scored in stoppage time, but at the end of 90-plus minutes, the Red Bulls took all three points.
Goals
- 47' - NY - Caden Clark | WATCH
Three Things
- THE BIG PICTURE: After getting all three points in Atlanta, the New York Red Bulls snap their two-game losing streak and gain a place in the East standings as they look towards their next match against first-place Toronto FC on Wednesday. Atlanta United continue to struggle with scoring goals consistently and drop desperately needed points.
- MOMENT OF THE MATCH: After a scoreless first half, Clark put the Red Bulls up 1-0 early in the second half. The ear-to-ear smile on his face tells the story.
- MAN OF THE MATCH: Seventeen-year-old Caden Clark showed the reason why his team put him in the starting XI at the first possible opportunity. At no point did he look out of place and his smooth one-touch volley will be a highlight of a career that is just starting out.
Next Up
- ATL: Wednesday, October 14 at Inter Miami CF (8:00 pm ET | MLS LIVE on ESPN+, FOX Sports Southeast, CBS4 Miami in US; MLS LIVE on DAZN in Canada)
- NY: Wednesday, October 14 at Toronto FC (7:30 pm ET | MLS LIVE on ESPN+, MSG in US; TSN 1/3/4 in Canada)
