Lindpere's goal gives Red Bulls 1-0 victory over Toronto FC

HARRISON, NJ - Red Bull New York picked up an important win over Easter Conference rivals Toronto FC last night, pulling out a 1-0 win at home.  The game wasn’t filled with great chances and was often reduced to a stark physical battle between the teams, but as always, a win is a win.  Winning ugly may not be exceptionally glorious, but it is certainly better than tying ugly, which is what New York has been doing in its past couple matches.

“A very important win, wasn’t pretty today.  More of a battle but I can understand that because it is a key game for both teams.” – New York Red Bulls head coach Hans Backe.

New York’s win is made more notable by the fact that four of their players were out on national team duty.  Rafa Marquez (Mexico), Roy Miller (Costa Rica), Dane Richards (Jamaica), and Bouna Coundoul (Senegal) all missed the match.  Joel Lindpere was also called up for an Estonian Euro 2012 qualifier against the Faroe Islands, but he elected to stay in New Jersey.  This selfless decision worked out excellently for the hosts, as it was Lindpere’s goal that delivered the 1-0 win.

The first half was a slow one for both teams, and Joel Lindpere’s goal was the only solid chance of the period.  Thierry Henry had a hand in the Estonian’s tally, but the goal was truly created by Seth Stammler.  Thierry Henry was fouled at the top of the box in the 23rd minute, and the ball ended up at Stammler’s feet.  The long-time Metro took a touch and then chipped an excellent ball for Lindpere, who finished well.

“Thierry was trying to get out of some pressure, it happened to squirt to me and I took a touch to settle.  I saw Joel even with the line and it looked like he was ready to go so I just gave him a little scoop over and was fortunate to get a soft bounce and he finished it well.”- Seth Stammler describing his assist.

The rest of the first half was pretty uneventful, with Stammler being the best player in the first 45, sending an excellent diagonal ball across goal that Henry just couldn’t get to.  New York didn’t exactly dominate in possession and the game was fairly open, although there were few chances to be had.

The second half was a better one for the Red Bulls, with possession and chances tipped more solidly their way.  Chris Albright lofted Juan Pablo Angel a perfect cross in the 75th minute, but the Colombian Captain just couldn’t put his tight angled header on frame.  Angel was also involved in a great chance in the 80th minute, where he accidentally blocked a great Sinisa Ubiparipovic shot.  Talking to Sinisa after the match, he didn’t seem to have any hard feelings.

The defense played well throughout the match and picked up their second straight shut out.  Tim Ream and Carlos Mendes have gelled well in the middle, and Chris Albright continues to get back to form as a right back.  Danleigh Borman and Roy Miller both slot into the left back spot well, and chances for the opposition have been limited in recent matches (Greg Sutton could have set up a lawn chair between the posts and still earned a shut out last night).  The offense is still struggling to convert chances, but the defense is certainly doing its job.  And with Lindpere getting his second goal of the season, someone not named Juan Pablo Angel scored for Metro, which is a rare and joyous occasion.

Lineups:
New York - Greg Sutton, Chris Albright, Carlos Mendes, Tim Ream, Danleigh Borman, Macoumba Kandji (Salou Ibrahim 81), Tony Tchani, Joel Lindpere, Seth Stammler, Juan Pablo Angel (Carl Robinson 89), Thierry Henry (Sinisa Ubiparipovic 46).

Toronto - Stefan Frei, Maksim Usanov, Nana Attakora, Adrian Cann, Nick Garcia, Jacob Peterson (O'Brian White 65), Joseph Nane (Fuad Ibrahim 76), Julian de Guzman, Nick LaBrocca, Dwayne De Rosario, Chad Barrett (Mista 33).

Disciplinary Summary:
56: Yellow to Julien de Guzman (Toronto)
94: Yellow to Mista (Tornto)

Scoring Summary:
23: Joel Lindpere (NYRB 1: TFC 0)

Attendance: 19,035

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