The Red Bulls didn’t play the prettiest soccer during their late-season surge to the MLS Cup playoffs, and for 122 minutes of Saturday’s MLS Cup playoff opener against the Philadelphia Union, they didn’t need to.
But in minute No. 123, a bit of brilliance by Union defender Jakob Glesnes, in a match with few such moments, made the difference.
The Red Bulls’ season is over following the 1-0 overtime defeat to the Union on Saturday at Subaru Park in Chester, Pennsylvania. Glesnes fired a rocket from outside the box into the top right corner in stoppage time of the game’s second extra-time period, beating a diving Carlos Coronel. The Union move on to the MLS Eastern Conference semifinals, where they will face the winner of Nashville SC and Orlando City SC.
The first-round matchup between the Red Bulls and the Union was an ugly outing from the opening whistle. While the Red Bulls played with the trademark energy and high-pressing style coach Gerhard Struber has worked to instill this season, there were few quality attempts to get the ball over the line.
“This game showed me we go straight forward with a clear identity, with a mentality like winners,” Struber said. “In the end, you need in an away game against a team like Philly also a little bit of luck.”
Making their 12th straight playoff appearance, the Red Bulls committed 22 fouls, earning four yellow cards in their effort to slow down the Union. They didn’t put a shot on target in regulation, getting just one on goal all match.
Things picked up for both sides when the extra periods began. Klimala found himself in a one-on-one with Union keeper Andre Blake twice in a few minutes, but put just one shot on target, which Blake stopped.
Coronel was sharp when called upon for the Red Bulls. He made the save of the day in the 107th minute, stopping a point-blank shot from Sergio Santos. Brooklyn’s Kyle Duncan nearly put the Red Bulls up in the 111th minute, but hit the post.
The Union again had a chance to take the game in the 118th minute, but a tackle from Andrew Gutman disrupted Cory Burke’s sliding attempt in the box, sending it well off target. Penalties looked inevitable, until Glesnes finally put together a touch of class.
