The New York Red Bulls and Vancouver Whitecaps FC kicked off Week 13 of the 2019 MLS regular season with a back-and-forth 2-2 draw at Red Bull Arena on Wednesday.
With these teams the only sides in MLS with two league games this week, they rotated heavily. The Red Bulls made seven changes to their XI from their win on Sunday, while the Whitecaps made six changes from their draw on Saturday, also on the road.
The Whitecaps took the lead against the run of play in the 29th minute, as Joaquin Ardaiz did much of the work on the counterattack, dribbling upfield and beating two defenders before crossing the ball, with Scott Sutter scoring beyond the far post at a very difficult angle. Moments later the Red Bulls had two good looks to equalize, but they were stymied both times by Erik Godoy, including an acrobatic clearance on the goal line.
But New York found their breakthrough in the 37th minute, as Brian White got the final touch on Amro Tarek's header from a Kaku cross to make it 1-1.
Shortly after the halftime break, Felipe had a terrific chance to take the lead against his old side, but the Vancouver midfielder's header off a cross was saved and pushed off the post by Luis Robles.
At the other end, White set up the Red Bulls' second goal of the night, with a cross turned in by Andy Rose as an own goal, before Fredy Montero scored a penalty after Video Review for a handball on Sean Nealis just after the hour mark to tie up the game once more.
Deep in stoppage time the Whitecaps had two chances to win the game on a counterattack, but Robles made a key save as New York held on for a draw.
Goals
- 29' – VAN – Scott Sutter | WATCH
- 37' – RBNY – Brian White | WATCH
- 55' – RBNY – Andy Rose (OG) | WATCH
- 61' – VAN – Fredy Montero (PK) | WATCH
Three Things
- THE BIG PICTURE: Through 20 minutes, New York dominated play so much that it looked like it would be an easy win, but Vancouver's goal against the run of play flipped the game on its head. In the end it was an entertaining draw, and the Whitecaps will be particularly happy to get a point so far from home.
- MOMENT OF THE MATCH: It was only the beginning, but Sutter's goal was not only a good finish but also a moment that completely changed the game.
- MAN OF THE MATCH: The Whitecaps are probably happier with the result, but Brian White was the standout on the night, being in the right place at the right time for the Red Bulls' first goal and setting up a go-ahead tally before his team was pegged back.
Next Up
- RBNY: Saturday, May 25 at FC Cincinnati (7:30 pm ET | MLS LIVE — Full TV & streaming info)
- VAN: Saturday, May 25 vs. FC Dallas (7 pm ET | TSN1/3/4/5 — Full TV & streaming info)
