Bradley Wright-Phillips completed a hat trick in 27 minutes – the shortest amount of time from the opening whistle in MLS history, leading the New York Red Bulls to a stunning 3-0 victory over Toronto FC at Red Bull Arena in Harrison, New Jersey.
Opening the scoring off a set piece in the fourth minute, New York never backed off the throttle, especially once Toronto forward Sebastian Giovinco exited the game in the 22nd minute with an adductor injury. Wright-Phillips quickly added goals in the 25th and 27th minute to put the game away, despite the Red Bulls playing the entire second half a man down following Gonzalo Veron's red card in the 42nd.
Box Score
- 4' – NY – Bradley Wright-Phillips (Sacha Kljestan)
- 25' – NY – Bradley Wright-Phillips (Sacha Kljestan)
- 27' – NY – Bradley Wright-Phillips (Mike Grella, Felipe)
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Three Things
- SACHA SETS 'EM UP: BWP's hatty is obviously going to get the attention, but Sacha Kljestan has set up a league-leading 10 assists. They don't get much cleaner than that opening goal.
- GONZALO GOES OFF: Gonzalo Veron went all in on a two-footed stomp to get booted at the end of the first half. For a guy who's had a tough time staying on the field through these fledgling stages of an MLS career, getting sent off early – and an ensuing suspension after the Copa break – has to be something of a momentum killer.
- REDS BLEEDING GOALS: After not allowing more than two goals in any of their first nine games, Toronto has now allowed three or more in two of the last four. Credit where it's due for a shutout of Columbus Crew SC in there, but the Reds will need the defense to return to early-season form – especially if Sebastian Giovinco is out for any extended stretch.
Next Up
NY: Sunday, June 19 vs. Seattle Sounders (7:30 pm ET, FS1)
TOR: Amway Canadian Championship: Wednesday, June 1 vs. Montreal Impact (7:30pm ET)
