Goalkeeper Carlos Coronel celebrates Red Bulls’ win. (Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports)
For the first time in their 27-year history, the Red Bulls won their first three road games of the MLS season.
They accomplished the feat Saturday night, defeating the New England Revolution, 1-0, on a 90th-minute own goal in Foxborough, Mass.
The visitors scored the game-winner as Ashley Fletcher sent the ball into the penalty area, which deflected off defenders Andrew Farrell and then Matt Polster and into the Revs’ goal.
Both teams finished with 10 men as the Red Bulls’ Frankie Amaya earned his second yellow card in the 73rd minute and the Reds’ Adam Buksa was given his marching orders for his second bookable offense in second-half stoppage time.
“I saw Cristian [Casseres, Jr.] running into the penalty area, so obviously, we were down to 10 men, and I thought if there was ever a chance to try and nick a goal, we will try here,” Fletcher said. “To be honest with you as much as the cross made the goal, his run made the goal as well. It made a lot of confusion for the defenders, so a big part goes to him for making the run because without that, they do not have the panic and they do not put it in the back of the net.”
The victory boosted the Red Bulls (3-1-1, 10 points) into second place in the Eastern Division.
The Revs (1-3-1, 4), the reigning Supporters Shield winners dropped to 12th place in the division.
“It was not the prettiest of football from us,” Red Bulls center back and captain Aaron Long said. “We knew they are a good team in their building. They have a lot of talented players, and they had a little bit of a better game, especially in the first half there, so the way the boys stuck together, grinded that one out. It is big time.”
Goalkeeper Carlos Coronel recorded the clean sheet as he made a late save on Sebastian Lletget. Coronel, who made five saves, registered his first shutout of the season and 15th of his MLS career.
The Red Bulls registered their first win at Gillette Stadium since July 5, 2017, and their first shutout and victory in New England since June 8, 2014.
