Aaron Long (right): “Once we get a goal we know how to pack it in. We know how to grind our results.” (Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY)
HANOVER, N.J. — When the Red Bulls take to the B.C. Place pitch Saturday, they will enter the field as one of the best road teams in Major League Soccer.
Their 19 away points (6-4-1) is second only to Atlanta United FC’s 23 and they are only one of four of 23 clubs that have a road record better than .500.
The Red Bulls have accumulated 19 out of a possible 33 points, an excellent mark, considering seven teams haven’t been able to accrue that many points in their home matches.
“I think a big thing is just grinding it out,” defender Aaron Long said. “Once we get a goal we know how to pack it in. We know how to grind our results. Of course, we always have chances to score and we have chances, but we’re very fortunate this year in getting a lot of shutouts so I think that’s our pride and that’s first and foremost on the road for sure.”
The Red Bulls are in the midst of three-game road swing. They edged the Chicago Fire at Toyota Park Saturday and will play in the final Hudson River Derby match, at least in the regular season, at New York City FC Wednesday.
Head coach Chris Armas gave credit where credit was due.
“Give credit to the guys, their mentality, sticking to their tactics and understanding that it’s not going to be perfect on the road,” he said. “Lots of times you’re not going to have the ball, lots of times there’s home-field advantage to the other team.
“It’s never an easy one. It’s easy for us in the sidelines or in halftime to say ‘Guys, listen, this is what you have to do,’ ” he said. “It’s difficult, it is, you look around the league at how difficult it is to get results, not even wins. But I would say, and I’ve said this before, that the experiences in Champions League, the runs in Open Cup, where it’s difficult environments, especially in Champions League, I think have paid dividends in helping up to grow in those moments and having a better understanding.”
