Luquinhas celebrates his first-half goal. (Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports)
By Michael Lewis
FrontRowSoccer.com Editor
Maybe the Red Bulls should play all of their games on the road.
When you look at the numbers, its not that crazy of an idea, especially after Sunday’s result in Orlando, Fla.
They became only the third MLS team to win their first four road games to a season, behind a 3-0 victory over Orlando City SC at Exploria Stadium. They joined the LA Galaxy as the only teams to accomplish that feat, with Los Angeles most recently doing that in 1998,
“For whatever reason right now the boys are liking our backs against the wall. sticking together. kind of us against the world mentality,” Red Bulls captain Aaron Long said. “We’ve been great on the road. Honestly, in a really tough environment like this and a lot of places we went to so far have been tough environments but we we find a way.
“We’re always up for these challenges. We’re up for the fight. When we are we’re at our best, no one on this team is gonna back down in those moments. We’re really tough to beat. We’ve been tremendous on the road so far, and I think it’s because we have that mentality and you always go in looking for the fight.”
The result boosted New York over Orlando and into second place in the Eastern Conference. both teams have 4-2-2 record and 14 points, but the Red Bulls have a better goal differential (plus six to plus one).
Luquinhas, Cristian Casseres, Jr. and Lewis Morgan found the net while goalkeeper Carlos Coronel kept the ball out of the net.
Incredibly, as well as they have done away from Red Bull Arena, the Red Bulls haven’t won at home this season in four matches (0-2-2).
“My boys were sharp like a knife,” Red Bulls head coach Gerard Struber said. “Everyone was on the same page. It was two much pressure on them [Orlando] today.”
Despite enjoying a huge territorial advantage over the visitors, Orlando could never really get its act together as the Red Bulls made the most of their opportunities.
Luquinhas lifted the Red Bulls into the lead in the 26th minute as he drilled home an Omir Fernandez feed from the top of the penalty area past goalkeeper Pedro Gallese.
Two minutes into injury time, the Red Bulls tried to double the lead, but Gallese made a two-handed save on Ashley Fletcher’s blast.
At halftime, Dru Yearwood replaced Luquinhas, who might have suffered an injury in the opening half.
Three minutes into the second half, Casseres put his own rebound past Gallese after a save for a two-goal margin.
With time running out, the Red Bulls were awarded a penalty kick on a handball by Rodrigo Schlegel in the box. Morgan converted for the final goal of the match in the 88th minute.
FrontRowSoccer.com editor Michael Lewis has written a new book, ALIVE AND KICKING The incredible but true story of the Rochester Lancers. You can learn more about it or purchase it here:
