Fifty-seven minutes of nothing, then one goal
Yankee Stadium, a derby, and a single moment that settled it. Hall scored just after the hour and the Red Bulls walked out of the Bronx with a 1-0 win over NYCFC in MLS regular-season play last night.
The opening 45 offered very little. Goalless at the break, scrappy in midfield, short on anything resembling a clear look at goal. Twelve minutes into the second half the game found its one decisive act, and neither side added to it.
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63% of the ball is not a result
NYCFC dominated possession. Sixty-three percent of it. They finished with nothing.
The hosts set up in a 4-2-3-1. The Red Bulls answered with a 4-3-3 and stuck to it from first whistle to last, refusing to be dragged out of shape as the home side pushed. Benie Traore and Alonso Martinez both arrived on the hour for NYCFC. Neither found a way past the back line.
Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting entered in the 84th minute for the visitors. The former Paris Saint-Germain forward got two efforts away. Neither troubled the goalkeeper.
Thirteen to twelve, and the gap will not widen
The Hudson River Derby has never really belonged to anyone. Thirteen wins for the Red Bulls now, 12 for NYCFC, five draws between them.
The table tells a similar story. NYCFC had 32 points before kick-off, the Red Bulls 30. Two points between eighth and 10th in a conference where a single place can decide who hosts a playoff game and who travels.
That margin is now gone. The visitors took it home with them.
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