HARRISON, NJ – Less than three days after their victory over D.C. United in Washington, the Red Bulls return home to face a determined Charlotte FC side, looking to claim a win on their home ground and capture all three points to prevent slipping even further in the Eastern Conference table. After playing their eighth…

HARRISON, NJ – Less than three days after their victory over D.C. United in Washington, the Red Bulls return home to face a determined Charlotte FC side, looking to claim a win on their home ground and capture all three points to prevent slipping even further in the Eastern Conference table.

After playing their eighth match in twenty-eight days, head coach Sandro Schwarz chose to rotate his squad, resting some starters to keep them fresh for the upcoming match against Atlanta United on Saturday.

Even though the weather conditions were more suitable for a duck than a soccer player, the Red Bulls had a scoring opportunity in the 13th minute. Mohammed Sofo skillfully maneuvered through the Charlotte defense, but his shot went wide to the left.

Wiktor Bogacz, making his first start with the team, quickly made an impact when he capitalized on a beautiful pass from Kyle Duncan in the 14th minute.

Charlotte tried to respond in the 24th minute when Pep Biel managed to get past Raheem Edwards, but his shot skipped wide to the right. However, just two minutes later, Patrick Agyeman pushed the Red Bulls’ defense and delivered a pass to Kerwin Vargas to even the match at one apiece.

The tie would not last. Charlotte FC’s ongoing defensive problems would bite them once again in the 29th minute as Wiki Carmona dribbled through their defenders to find Mohammed Sofo, and he banged home his fourth of the season to put them back in front.

Sandro Schwarz changed formation from a 4-2-3-1 to a standard 4-4-2, sensing that Charlotte would start chasing the match, looking to equalize. They almost managed to do just that, but Patrick Agyemang still managed to get a shot on goal, but it was easily saved by Carlos Coronel one hour into the match.

Andrew Privett looked like he fouled Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting in the 68th minute, and after a quick review from VAR, the foul stood, and Choupo-Maxim converted the penalty shortly afterward.

In the 76th minute, the visitors got back into the match as Tyger Smalls laced a shot that Carlos Coronel initially saved, but Liel Abada pounced on the loose ball and tapped home the rebound to cut the lead back to one.

The goal, along with the substitutions, seemed to give Charlotte FC some life as they pressed even harder for the equalizer, forcing coach Schwarz to make some defensive substitutions of his own to stem the tide.

But, just when Charlotte was about to see some daylight, disaster struck five minutes into extra time as Adilson Malanda fouled Cameron Harper on a break, earning him a yellow card for his ill-timed efforts. Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting successfully converted his second penalty kick, sealing the win, and giving the Red Bulls all the momentum they needed heading into thier match with Atlanta United on Saturday.

Starting Lineups:

New York Red Bulls: Carlos Coronel, Raheem Edwards, Noah Eile, Sean Nealis, Kyle Duncan, Peter Stroud (Ronald Donkor 87′), Daniel Edelman, Mohammed Sofo (29′) (Omar Valencia 87′), Wikelman Carmona (Alexander Hack 77′), Dennis Gjengaar (Cameron Harper 64′), Wiktor Bogacz (14′)(Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting 64′)

Charlotte FC: Kristijan Kahlina, Jahkeele Marshall-Ruddy, Andrew Pivett, Adilson Malanda, Nicholas Scardina (Souleyman Doumbia 83′), Eryk Williamson, Ashley Westwood, Pep Biel, Wilfried Zaha, Patrick Agyemang (Tyger Smalls 71′), Kerwin Vargas (26′)(Liel Abada 71′)

Scoring Summary:

14′ | New York Red Bulls – Wiktor Bogacz, assisted by Kyle Duncan
26′ | Charlotte FC – Kerwin Vargas, assisted by Patrick Agyemang and Jahkeele Marshall-Ruddy
29′ | New York Red Bulls – Mohammed Sofo, assisted by Wikelman Carmona
70′ | New York Red Bulls – Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting, converted penalty kick
76’| Charlotte FC – Liel Adada, unassisted
90+7′ | New York Red Bulls – Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting, converted penalty

Disciplinary Summary:

40′ | Charlotte FC – Pep Biel – Yellow card
64′ | Charlotte FC – Wilfried Zaha – Yellow card
68′ | Charlotte FC – Andrew Privett – Yellow card
74′ | New York Red Bulls – Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting – Yellow card
82′ | New York Red Bulls – Daniel Edelman – Yellow card
90+2′ | New York Red Bulls – Ronald Donkor
90+5′ | Charlotte FC – Adilson Malanda – Yellow card