French striker Florian Valot scored the goal that defined the New York Red Bulls’ 0-1 victory tonight against Atlanta United, in the first game of Group E of the Returning Professional Soccer League (MLS) Tournament of U.S.
The only goal of the game came at minute four of the first half when Argentine midfielder Alejandro Romero Gamarra “Kaku” sent a long ball that Valot received in the middle and after having beaten the back of the Atlanta United defense, he entered the center of the area to heel slightly to the right and beat low and crossed goalkeeper Brad Guzan, who was leaving to close space.
That was all that left the game of interest, which later became somewhat soporific, with a monotonous game, without alternatives, given that Atlanta United was the one who had control of the ball, but lacked definition before the framework defended by Red Bulls keeper David Dansen of Denmark also responded well with three good interventions.
Especially the ones he had in the final stretch of the game (90 + 2) when he prevented a poor clearance by the Red Bulls defense from allowing Atlanta United to score.
Although Argentine Gonzalo Martínez and Uruguayan Manuel Castro tried to score the goal that would have at least brought Atlanta United a tie, in the end the great defense of the Red Bulls prevailed with forceful actions at decisive moments and the same thing happened in the retention work that did the midfield, where Kakú did an excellent job.
Atlanta United came close to drawing the tie in the 41st minute of the first half after young defenseman George Bello, 18, fired a powerful shot from a difficult angle that made the ball go past Jesen, but it crashed in the end. on the crossbar.
The Red Bulls had other opportunities to extend the lead in the second half, but were unable to capitalize, thanks in part to excellent work by Guzan.
However, it would be Atlanta United to enjoy the last and clearest goal when in injury time, a header by Adam Jahn was masterfully rejected by Jensen, who assured the victory of the Red Bulls and their condition of hero alongside the French Valot.
The victory allows the Red Bulls to provisionally take the lead in the Group E standings, where tonight FC Cincinnati will also play their first game of the tournament against the Columbus Crew, the other two teams that accompany them.
While Atlanta United’s next game will be against FC Cincinnati on Thursday, July 16, and the Columbus Crew will face the Red Bulls, on the same double day.
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