For a third straight game, the New York Red Bulls left it late, with Aaron Long scoring the decisive goal one minute from full time in a 1-0 win over the New England Revolution Wednesday night at Red Bull Arena.
The goal came off a Kaku corner kick, initially flicked on by Tim Parker before Long fired home for the Red Bulls, who can clinch a berth in the 2020 Audi MLS Cup Playoffs with an Inter Miami CF loss or tie against FC Dallas later Wednesday. Either of those results in Frisco would also see New England claim a playoff spot, despite defeat in Harrison.
For the Red Bulls, their habit of scoring decisive late goals continues after Brian White struck the stoppage-time equalizers in the previous two matches.
Prior to their late intervention on the offensive end, Long and Parker had been on their game from the start with several clutch clearances and blocks to thwart potential scoring chances in the opening 45 minutes.
As a sign of both teams' intent, triple attacking substitutions were made within moments of each other, with Red Bulls interim coach Bradley Carnell bringing on Danny Royer, Kaku and Cristian Casseres just past the hour mark. Bruce Arena responded with Carles Gil, Lee Nguyen and Tajon Buchanan entering a few minutes later.
Buchanan thought he had drawn a penalty after going down in the box following contact with White with 15 minutes remaining, but referee Alan Kelly instead booked him for simulation.
The match opened up in the final minutes, with both teams going for glory. Just when it looked like the teams would share the points — and the Revs would clinch a playoff berth as a result — Long came up with the late magic.
Goals
- 89’ — RBNY — Aaron Long | WATCH
Three Things
- THE BIG PICTURE: For the third consecutive match, the Red Bulls found a way to score late — fourth if you count Caden Clark’s stunning 77th-minute leveler against Toronto FC. The Red Bulls are now unbeaten in their last five and on the precipice of an 11th consecutive playoff appearance. The Revs will likely join them there, but they squandered a chance to officially punch their ticket by conceding late off a set piece.
- MOMENT OF THE MATCH: It's yet another late-game goal scored, but this time it's for all three points for the Red Bulls.
- MAN OF THE MATCH: Long was already locking up the honor because of his defensive work to snuff out Revs’ scoring chances, with Parker a close second. But then the USMNT defender added to it with his late winning goal off the corner kick.
Next Up
- RBNY: Sunday, November 1 at New York City FC (7 pm ET | MLS LIVE on ESPN+ in US; MLS LIVE on DAZN in Canada)
- NE: Sunday, November 1 vs. D.C. United (7:30 pm ET | MLS LIVE on ESPN+ in US; MLS LIVE on DAZN in Canada)
