Man of the Match Dane Richards scored the game-winning goal in the 70th minute, as the New York Red Bulls wrapped up the Barclays New York Challenge with a 2-1 win over English Premiership side, Manchester City, in front of 23,228 at Red Bull Arena. New York forward Macoumba Kandji also found the back of the net for the hosts, who finished 1-1-0 in the tournament after falling to Tottenham Hotspur, 2-1, on Thursday night.
Manchester City had the first legitimate chance of the game in the fourth minute, as Jo sneaked behind the Red Bulls defense alone on goal. However, New York goalkeeper Bouna Coundoul was quick off his line and knocked the forward’s shot away.
That missed opportunity cost the Citizens three minutes later, when New York took the lead. Richards had possession by the right touchline and skipped past City defender Wayne Bridge before finding Kandji, who beat his defender and slid it in from close range.
New York Designated Player Thierry Henry tried to get his name on the scoring sheet in the 20th minute, getting free on the left hand side of the penalty box and slipping an attempt past the right post. Six minutes later, Manchester City forward Emmanuel Adebayor played a nifty give-and-go and forced Coundoul to make a sprawling save. Henry himself was put into the 18-yard box off a Tony Tchani pass, but a full speed Joe Hart was able to deflect the ball out of danger.
Jo tied the game up for Manchester City in the 55th minute. Substitute Greg Cunningham found Jo in the box and the forward lined one past Coundoul.
The hosts regained the lead in 70th minute. Kandji cut into the penalty box and passed it back to Richards, who took a touch and smashed a shot off the underside of the crossbar and into the back of the net. The Red Bulls tried to extend their advantage five minutes later, as Conor Chinn forced substitute goalkeeper Stuart Taylor to make a full extension stop.
Manchester City almost equalized with seven minutes left to play when Alex Tchuimeni-Nimely couldn’t get his attempt from inside the six yard box on target.
The Red Bulls return to MLS action on Saturday, July 31 when they travel to Robertson Stadium to take on the Houston Dynamo at 8:30 PM ET (TV: MSG; Radio: WADO 1280 AM).
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