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MLS New York Red Bulls

New York Earns Hard-Fought 2-1 Win at Columbus

March 28, 2015 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
New York Red Bulls News Release


COLUMBUS, Ohio - It was a historic night for the New York Red Bulls as Long Island native Mike Grella scored his first MLS goal - the 1,000 th goal in Red Bulls' history - as New York earned a hard-fought 2-1 victory at Columbus Saturday evening at MAPRE Stadium.

The 67th-minute goal was the Red Bulls' 1000th as a club, making them the fifth MLS side after the LA Galaxy, D.C. United, FC Dallas and Columbus to hit that mark.

"I think that it's important to continue to validate how we're doing and what we're doing," New York head coach Jesse Marsch said after the victory. "It's not just the win, but it's how we played; I think that's what's important. It's that we continue to try and move ourselves along and honor the process and keep pushing, and we're being rewarded for it right now. But right now it's still key though to keep our heads and keep pushing everyday."

Grella's game-winning goal was a beautiful chip shot from 35 yards out after Grella forced a Columbus turnover. After the turnover, Bradley Wright-Phillips found Grella who beat Columbus goalkeeper Steve Clark after he was off his line.

Both teams went back-and-forth in the first half as both teams had scoring chances. New York's best opportunity came in the 10th minute when Lloyd Sam delivered a perfect cross to Sal Zizzo, with his shot going off the cross bar.

New York got on the scoreboard first when Wright-Phillips ripped a penalty shot into the left corner of the net for a 1-0 lead at the 49th minute. Sam received a pass from Wright-Phillips and was free down the right side and was taken down inside the penalty area to force the penalty shot.

It was the second goal in as many games for Wright-Phillips, the 2014 Golden Boot recipient in Major League Soccer.

Columbus tied the game at one in the 58th minute as Tony Tchani scored his first goal of the season from point blank range after a corner kick deflected through traffic onto the right foot of Tchani. Federico Higuain assisted on the goal as his corner kick found its way after two deflections to Tchani.

New York regained the lead for good in the 67th minute on Grella's game-winning goal.

With the win, the Red Bulls improved to 2-0-1 on the season, while Columbus fell to 1-2-0. New York visits D.C. United next Saturday, while Crew SC have their second bye week in three weeks.

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