Red Bulls Claim First Victory with Dramatic 2-1 Comeback Against Columbus

The wait is finally over. After three matches without a victory despite allowing just two goals all season, the New York Red Bulls delivered a thrilling 2-1 comeback victory over Columbus Crew at Red Bull Arena, punctuated by Dante Vanzeir’s breathtaking 86th-minute winner.

Setting the Stage

Both teams entered separated by just two points in the early season standings, with their 2022 head-to-head record deadlocked at 1-1-1. The Red Bulls’ defensive excellence had been their calling card – allowing only three shots on target through three matches, tying the MLS record set by LA Galaxy in 2010 – but goals had proven elusive.

The evening celebrated women’s empowerment, with representatives from the Metropolitan Riveters (Premier Hockey Federation), New York Liberty (WNBA), and Gotham FC joining youth sports organizations in attendance.

First Half Frustrations

The opening 45 minutes epitomized the Red Bulls’ season-long struggles. Despite earning an early corner kick and creating several promising breaks, execution remained their Achilles’ heel. Cristian Casseres Jr. registered the only shot on target through 32 minutes, forcing a routine save from Columbus goalkeeper Eloy Room.

Then came the sucker punch. Alexandru Matan found the opener for Columbus in the 33rd minute, capitalizing on a communication breakdown between goalkeeper Carlos Coronel and defender Andres Reyes. The goal was as preventable as it was frustrating.

Cory Burke’s discomfort added to the Red Bulls’ woes, with play stopped twice to address his condition. The striker later revealed his pre-match struggles:

“My stomach before the game I felt like I had to throw up. In the first five minutes, I felt it, I just had to get it up, so I could feel better.”

Second Half Transformation

Gerhard Struber’s halftime adjustments proved decisive. Elias Manoel replaced the ineffective D. Edelman in the 46th minute, injecting fresh energy into the attack.

The breakthrough came in the 58th minute when Luquinhas pounced on a loose ball, driving home the equalizer with clinical precision. Red Bull Arena erupted as months of pent-up frustration finally found release.

Burke, despite his earlier struggles, emphasized the victory’s importance: “It’s been a while since linking up with the boys, for me to go now it was very important for us to get this win before I depart for the national team.”

The Belgian Magic

The decisive moment arrived in the 76th minute when Struber introduced Belgian striker Dante Vanzeir for Cameron Harper. Ten minutes later, the substitution spectacularly paid dividends.

John Tolkin’s perfectly weighted cross found Vanzeir at an impossibly tight angle. With goalkeeper Eloy Room expecting a back-post delivery, the Belgian striker stunned everyone by firing a precise near-post finish that nestled into the corner.

Tolkin’s modest assessment of his assist: “I saw the space and just floated it to the back post, the angle looked a little tight to me, I will have to watch it back later. I had a quick look inside, and what can I say, Dante has that striker instinct, he just knows how to find the net.”

When asked to describe the game in one word, Tolkin responded: “Tough question, I would say Quality!”

Vanzeir’s Moment of Glory

The Belgian striker was understandably elated with his match-winning debut goal:

“It’s great, it was a moment we were all waiting for, especially myself. It is a great start, a great moment to build on. I didn’t know if Johnny saw me, it was a great cross, it gave me time to think of where to place it, thank god it went in.”

“It was not the easiest goal, it was difficult to take on a one-touch, but glad it went in, I hope to score even nicer goals in the future.”

When pressed about the audacity of choosing the near post from such an acute angle, Vanzeir explained his thinking: “Indeed, indeed, but it was a difficult angle, I think to put that ball second post, most of the time it’s a little bit of a curve, it goes next to the post. I think the first post for a goalkeeper is sometimes hard to react to and a little unexpected.”

Late Drama

The final minutes provided heart-stopping drama. Omir Fernandez, introduced for Luquinhas in the 90th minute, somehow struck the post with an open net after a perfect pass from Vanzeir. The miss could have been costly, but the Red Bulls held firm through five minutes of stoppage time.

Vanzeir nearly added a second goal in the dying moments, only to see his effort deflected wide by a desperate Columbus defender.

Breaking the Drought

This victory represented more than three points – it validated the Red Bulls’ defensive approach while finally providing the attacking spark they desperately needed. The combination of Tolkin’s creativity and Vanzeir’s clinical finishing offers hope for a more productive season ahead.

The pre-match quote about Vanzeir proved prophetic: “He can direct some players in different directions; in the end, he knows what direction to come in to, to score the big goal. The cross from Johnny Tolkin was very sexy, which makes the life much easier for Dante to score.”

Final Score: New York Red Bulls 2, Columbus Crew 1Goals: Luquinhas 58′, Dante Vanzeir 86′ | Alexandru Matan 33′