After Covid hampered their efforts in LA, Red Bull returned to the east coast to take on Atlanta United, a foe that New York has come to dislike over the years since their inclusion in MLS in 2017.
Red Bull has never lost to Atlanta when playing at Red Bull Arena, let alone concede a goal to the likes of Josef Martinez or anyone that has worn the "Five Stripes" kit.
Atlanta would get a goal, but it would be Red Bulls who would come away victorious once again in this matchup, coming back from 1-0 down in the last ten minutes.
Goals from Lewis Morgan from the spot tied things up for Red Bull, but the winner would come from the unlikeliest of sources as 16-year-old winger Serge Ngoma would net the game-winner with just added time left to play. But first, how did we even get to this point?
Well, pre-game it was announced that the trio of Luquinhas, Aaron Long & Jason Pendant cleared Covid protocols. Meaning that Red Bull got two of their best players back for this very critical game on the summer calendar against Atlanta.
Here's how Gerhard Struber lined up Red Bull, where if NY were to get a victory would send them joint top of the standings in the Eastern Conference.
Before kickoff, we got to see pride night in full effect with same-sex couple "OneUp Duo" signing the national anthem and some pride-themed smoke in the home end spreading throughout the stadium.
To start the game, Red Bull earned another corner inside 5' after John Tolkin controlled a beautiful switch ball in the box, forcing his defender to tackle the ball out of bounds. Red Bull did nothing on the ensuing corner, but they looked to control the play with some of Atlanta's stars on the bench (Josef Martinez & Marcelino Morales).
After the 10' mark, it seemed like Red Bull was sort of trying to feel out how to break Atlanta's, trying over-the-top balls to Patryk Klimala, down the right & left wings through Cameron Harper & Tolkin, but nothing seemed to work as NY just couldn't find that final ball like in LA.
Carlos Coronel would be called into action for the first time in the 31' after Atlanta won the ball in midfield and sent Luiz Araujo in behind Red Bull's defense, as he was able to get a dangerous shot on target.
Coronel's positioning would be spot on and was able to easily parry the Brazilian's shot out of play.
https://twitter.com/NewYorkRedBulls/status/1542670418397609985?s=20&t=lA8e35koJokqQPnJBbwT2w
In the time just before added time in the first half Atlanta's Franco Ibarra went into a challenge with John Tolkin for a 50/50 ball very recklessly, even coming off said challenge worse
With the last kick off the ball of the half, Luiz Araujo once again sliced through the Red Bull defense like hot butter, this time sitting Aaron Long on his butt with a shot fake in the box, but once again could not finish his 1v1 chance facing his countryman Coronel.
Araujo let Red Bull off the hook as both teams entered the locker rooms tied at 0-0.
https://twitter.com/VamosATLUTD/status/1542676304998404097?s=20&t=lA8e35koJokqQPnJBbwT2w
In the second half, Atlanta created the first real chance off of a lovely combination play that found the feet of Ronaldo Cisneros who attempted to pick out the bottom left corner but was denied by Carlos Coronel.
Gerhard Struber, looking for a spark in the attack brought on Luquinhas and Tom Barlow for Cameron Harper & Patryk Klimala, who was not happy when he stepped off the pitch in the 56'.
Being the main catalyst in the attack in creating chances for Red Bull in the first half, it was a bit of a surprise to see the Pole subbed off the pitch.
https://twitter.com/pvtmcbain/status/1542682102851944449?s=20&t=lA8e35koJokqQPnJBbwT2w
But with Luquinhas now on the pitch, Red Bull instantly looked more alive in the midfield, as the attacking midfielder brings something that no other player on the roster can offer, dynamic dribbling.
Stuber also sent on 16-year-old winger Serge Ngoma onto the pitch in the 68' to offer some pace and fresh legs throughout the midfield for Red Bull. Also, something cool to point out, this would be Ngoma's first appearance at Red Bull Arena for the first team.
Both Luquinhas & Ngoma made instant impacts when they touched the field; Luqi nutmegging and playmaking for his teammates while Ngoma was using his youthfulness to get behind the Atlanta defense and cause some havoc.
But it would be Atlanta who would open the scoring in the 75'. Caleb Wiley picked up a ball all alone on the left wing, crossing it to Aiden McFadden at the far post, who headed it down to Emerson Hyndman almost two yards from the goal line.
Carlos Coronel & Sean Nealis were able to block Hyndman's effort, but the resulting rebound fell to Josef Martinez who easily found the back of the net to score Atlanta's first-ever goal at Red Bull Arena.
To add insult to injury, literally, Tom Edwards would have to be subbed off with an injury as RB2 midfielder Steven Sserwadda.
Cristian Casseres Jr. would move back to right back with the Englishman leaving the field.
But Red Bull picked up a MAJOR lifeline in the 81' to get them back to level terms. That same 17-year-old Caleb Wiley who set up the Atlanta goal, tackled Luquinhas in the box, giving NY their chance to even the score from the spot.
From an Atlanta point of view, there was no need for Wiley to go into the tackle as Luqi was running out of run near the byline.
Lewis Morgan, as he has done all season, stepped up to the spot, as he calmly & coolly converted his penalty past Rocco Rios.
Talking about the confidence that has from the penalty spot in himself and from the manager, Morgan said, "every time I step up to that spot they believe in me and I believe in myself."
"I like to take responsibility no matter how I'm playing individually. I have always said, if you don't take a penalty then you can't miss". I trust myself, trust the work I do away from the field to prepare myself and hopefully, I can continue to find the back of the net".
Red Bull smelled blood in the water, snatching back all the momentum with just one kick off the ball from Lewis.
And in the 89' 16-year-old Serge Ngoma from North Plainfield, NJ would take matters into his own hands as he single-handedly scored the game-winning goal out of thin air.
Ngoma, in only his fourth appearance for his boyhood club, intercepted an Atlanta pass between the two center backs. Alex De John was caught napping and Ngoma swooped in and was all alone with Rocco from 30 yards out.
Not rushing the play, Ngoma with his "cold" mindset attacked the box and slotted home his chance at the near post to steal the three points for Red Bull in front of the "South Ward".
With that goal, Ngoma becomes the third youngest goal scorer in Metro Stars/Red Bulls club history behind the likes of Eddie Gaven (16 years, 8 months, 10 days) & Jozy Altidore (16 years, 10 months, 10 days)
After some masterful time-wasting from Red bull on the sideline, referee Alex Chilowicz blew his whistle one last time to signal Red Bull's second comeback win of the season (Chicago match day 9).
Post-game it was the Serge Ngoma show, with manager Gerhard Struber giving the 16-year-old some high-quality praise.
"Yeah, maybe not from a 16-year-old boy, we see situations like that. I donāt expect a 16-year-old boy to make the difference like he makes tonight. The good one for me is how you win the ball, how you create the moment. First of all, without this situation, he doesnāt score. In our game style and our basics always, win the ball high, find a good dance, find a good trigger, and he read this moment very well. Then he was cold."
Struber continued by saying, "For me, also, itās more I look a little bit back, of course, he has talent otherwise he would not play here. But for me, itās much more important his mentality and the mentality make the difference. I donāt speak so much with him about talent. I speak with him about his mentality, and especially moments like that, how we win the ball. It's not a question of talent. It's a question of attitude, and how ready he is in our match plan, how ready he is in the basics. In this direction, yeah, he makes me outstandingly happy. Then, of course, the goal makes the first three points, and in the end, is the difference. Iām very happy for him but also itās not always a question of age. It's a question of quality and today he shows me he's ready."
For Serge Ngoma, he was just soaking in the moment and for a 16-year-old, he is pretty humble and very composed with his words after just scoring his first career goal for the team he grew up rooting for.
Ngoma on scoring his first goal just said it was a "blessing" to be in the position he is a just 16. Also credited his Mom, Dad & sister for getting him to this point in his career.
"To be able to score my first time playing in Red Bull Arena and have my family there is really a blessing. My dad, who trained me since day one, my mom, whoās the best mother in the world, and my sister as well, the best sister in the world. To have them here to share that moment with me was amazing.
On if there was any pressure when coming on for his first appearance at RBA Ngoma said, "I don't know if I really felt any pressure. I felt like more excited, to come on, play in front of these amazing fans and show myself. I had to go and just perform".
Describing what he saw on his game-winning goal, Ngoma went step-by-step on what led to him getting his goal. "The center back had the ball and shaped to play it out, so I saw the moment to jump on it. I've seen this play two other times , saw the opportunity to take, and had to finish to get my first goal."
https://twitter.com/SirHarveyCruz/status/1542706089946390531?s=20&t=3s5JdNXW0yf5L8TR9z0O4w
Finally, Ngoma was asked if he had any advice for the rest of the kids either in USL or still playing at the academy level. Ngoma, a 16-YEAR-OLD from North Plainfield NJ, a homegrown who has played at every level of the academy & a Red Bull to his core said, "Everyone's path is different. Just continue to work hard, put your head down. All you need is one opportunity and you have to be ready to take it".
With the victory, Red Bull now sits a top of the Eastern Conference with a share of first place with Montreal & Philadelphia.
Red Bull now has to focus their sights on Sporting Kansas City and won't have much time to prepare with a game with just two days' rest.
SKC has struggled mightily this season, sitting 13th in the Western Conference with only 16 PTS. Even with their struggles in 2022, KC is still a force to be reckoned with when playing at Children's Mercy Park with a record of 6-2-3 in all comps in front of their home supports.
It will be a much stiffer task than the standings may indicate, but if Red Bull wants to compete at the top of the Eastern Conference, these are games that you should be able to assert your dominance as the better team on paper and leave Kansas City with all three points.
Will Red Bull accomplish that feat? We will find out Sunday night.
https://youtu.be/l-nBWJTulEk
Match Stats
Final Score: NY 2, ATL 1
Possession: NY 42%, ATL 58%
Shots (On Goal): NY 16 (3), ATL 8 (4)
Fouls: Ā NY 7, ATL 13
Corners: NY 7, ATL 2
Saves: NY 2, ATL 1
Next Game: July 3rd, @ Sporting Kansas City 8:00 PM EST
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