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MLS New York Red Bulls

New York Red Bulls Down Philadelphia Union, 3-1

August 1, 2015 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
New York Red Bulls News Release


CHESTER, PA., (August 1, 2015) -- The New York Red Bulls defeated the Philadelphia Union, 3-1, on Saturday night at PPL Park behind goals from Sacha Kljestan (PK), Bradley Wright-Phillips and Anatole Abang. Shaun Wright-Phillips, signed earlier this week, recorded an assist in his Red Bulls' debut.

With the win the Red Bulls move to 9-6-5 and sit on 32 points, jumping over Columbus Crew SC to claim second place in the Eastern Conference table. The victory is also New York's second-consecutive road win, and third-straight overall in league play.

The match was a tale of two halves, with box-to-box play and no shots on goal for either side in the first half being replaced with end-to-end action and three goals in eight minutes in the second stanza.

Shaun Wright-Phillips made his debut in the 61st minute, replacing Lloyd Sam. SWP proved a difference maker from his first touch, earning a free kick just outside the penalty area after being taken down while trying to cut inside.

Minutes later, Shaun received a pass from his brother, Bradley, and was taken down again, this time inside the penalty area.

Sacha Kljestan stepped to the spot and put his attempt right down the middle, beating Union goalkeeper John McCarthy to put New York ahead in the 66th minute. The goal was Kljestan's fourth of the year, and also marked the first time the midfielder has scored in back-to-back contests this season. An assist later in the game would give him his second multi-point performance in a Red Bulls uniform.

The Union responded in the 72nd minute, when a low cross from Christian Maidana went off the foot of Fernando Aristeguieta before being buried by Sebastien Le Toux from close range.

The Wright-Phillips brothers teamed up to quiet the Union faithful minutes later. In the 74th minute Shaun brought down a ball inside the box, cut back to the endline to free himself from a defender and slid in a pass for Bradley to redirect by McCarthy with his first touch.

It was the first time the two brothers combined for a scoring play in their careers.

The occasion marked the 11th time in MLS history have played together on the same team. It was also the first time the Wright-Phillips took the field together in over a decade. Shaun was also on the field for Bradley's first professional goal, a marker for Manchester City in the winter of 2004.

Anatole Abang finished things off with a stoppage time goal, benefiting from a Sacha Kljestan outlet pass that put him behind a high-pressing Union defense. Abang charged into the box with possession and slotted a ball through McCarthy to seal the victory. Dax McCarty earned a secondary assist on the play, giving the Red Bulls captain his fifth assist in the last three games. McCarty is now tied for the team lead with six helpers on the season, and is one off of his career high, set in 2007, his sophomore campaign with FC Dallas.

Robles was not very busy on the night, but was sharp when called upon, making two quality saves, including a diving stop on an Aristeguieta header in the 84th minute to preserve the 2-1 lead.

The Red Bulls will travel to Montreal for a Wednesday matchup (8 p.m. MSG) with the Impact before returning home to host the third New York Derby on Sunday, August 9. Kickoff against New York City FC is set for 7 p.m. ET.

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