HARRISON, N.J. – With Tyler Adams back in familiar territory at defensive midfield, the New York Red Bulls dominated LAFC’s attack-minded midfield en route to a 2-1 victory on a hot summer Sunday night at Red Bull Arena.
Daniel Royer scored both goals but Adams dictated the pulse of the match, stifling LAFC's creative trio of Benny Feilhaber, Lee Nguyen and Carlos Vela, after playing a couple of matches at right wing. Adams’ performance was all-action: he completed 55 of 70 passes, won seven of his eight duels, made four tackles and had three interceptions.
“Tyler is awesome-- He’s a machine,” Royer said after the game. “At his age, I don’t know how many ways this guy can go, it’s crazy. This guy won’t stop running, he won’t stop fighting, especially in his position it’s really important.”
The Red Bulls created chances via their vaunted, if recently tapered off, press and muzzled Vela just about as well as any MLS side has this season. Adams had a leading role in all of it.
But he was far from alone in leading the Red Bulls to victory. Adams started next to Sean Davis and behind Kaku, Royer and Marc Rzakowski, who continued his fine form under Chris Armas. Alex Muyl entered for Davis in the 65th minute, shuffling Rzatkowski next to Adams. It was the second consecutive game Davis was subbed off after essentially playing 90 minutes every game for three months.
“I think lots of times, it is won in that midfield area,” Armas said after the match. “Coming into the game, we thought the big challenge, we had to deal with six dynamic attackers that can hurt you in so many different ways… it was a big job for Sean and Tyler on the day and Kaku and Danny and Marc being tucked in, it's a big test that everyone had to be in on.”
Royer’s second goal came on a tap-in via in the 80th minute. The striker was in on a break and selflessly rolled the ball to Royer rather than taking aim for his 101st MLS goal.
The man who deflects the limelight and praise at every chance had no choice but to soak it all in as the match was bookended with Wright-Phillips tributes. The South Ward erected a tifo that read “King of MLS” prior to kick off and after the club announced that he would be the last person at the club to ever wear No. 99.
“Tonight was [another great moment],” Armas said of Wright-Phillips’ postgame ceremony. “Seeing him have to sit back and accept the recognition for once, because he never wants it, so we forced it on him. I told him before the game in front of the team ‘it’s not our fault. You scored the 100, not me! So you have to take the recognition.’”
