Carlos Coronel's trio of saves played a crucial role in securing his season's initial clean sheet, enabling the undermanned New York Red Bulls to secure a 0-0 draw against the Chicago Fire on Saturday evening.
The match saw a significant shift when Andrés Reyes was sent off for violent conduct in the 42nd minute, reducing the Red Bulls to ten men for the duration of the game.
The Red Bulls, with a record of 4 wins, 1 loss, and 3 draws, have maintained an unbeaten run across four games, including three victories, since their 3-0 defeat at Columbus Crew on March 16. They currently lead the MLS with 15 points.
Despite being a player down, the Red Bulls came close to clinching a win, hitting the goalposts twice towards the match's conclusion, showing their resilience and determination.
With this draw, the Red Bulls continued their impressive streak of six unbeaten games at home across all competitions.
New York was aggressive throughout, attempting 17 shots, five of which were on target.
The expulsion of Reyes compelled the Red Bulls to play with reduced manpower, challenging them to maintain their defensive solidity and tactical discipline.
"Despite being down to ten men, the second half showcased our tactical acumen, especially in defense. The midfield quartet, comprising Peter Stroud, Wiki Carmona, Frankie Amaya, and the defense, all performed admirably," remarked Head Coach Sandro Schwarz.
During the game, Carlos Coronel also celebrated reaching 10,000 career minutes in MLS with New York. This match marked his second shutout of the season and his 18th at the Red Bull Arena, contributing to his overall tally of 32 shutouts for the team, the second-highest in the franchise's history.
Coach Schwarz expressed mild disappointment at not securing a win but praised the team's tactical execution and mentality.
Wiki Carmona reached a personal milestone by making his 50th MLS appearance for New York during the game.
The Red Bulls have recorded the highest number of shutouts at Red Bull Arena since 2010, totaling 91.
Reflecting on the game's dynamics, player Noah Eile highlighted the initial momentum and the tactical shift following the red card, praising the team's fighting spirit and strategic game management.
Looking ahead, the Red Bulls will travel to face Los Angeles FC on April 20, with the match set to be broadcast on various platforms including MLS Season Pass on Apple TV, in both English and Spanish, and on New York Red Bulls Radio.
