This was a wild one. A first half that saw the Red Bulls seemingly in total control of this one (w a 2-1 lead) gave way to a total RBNY defensive collapse in the second and a 5-4 final to the Fire. This game was either the "Harrison Shipp Show" or the "Harrison (NJ) Shit Show", depending on what team you were supporting. For the casual observer watching this early candidate for Game of The Season, MLS doesn't get more entertaining - even if it's for all the wrong reasons.
While the Red Bulls were unlucky be down 1-0 early, due to a totally blown call by the ref, the four second half Chicago goal were all due to our Swiss cheese defending. Robles, Armando, Olave and Kimura were all culpable of insane errors that changed the game in an 18 minute span. All of a sudden the Red Bulls were down 5-2 and the Fire players were well underway to their first victory of the 2014 season. While it was a gallant RBNY effort to get the score to within one, a draw proved to be "A bridge too far". Needless to say, Coach Petke was not pleased at the end of this frustrating classic. He's going to become an alcoholic if things don't change quick.
This was the first ever MLS game featuring two hat-tricks. It was the first for Chicago rookie Harrison Shipp, who might have let his fine performance go to his head just a bit. Hopefully the RBNY defense will focus on young Mr. Shipp the next time these two teams meet. It was the second hat-trick this season for our own Bradley Wright-Phillips, who just cannot stop scorin' mates! Unfortunately, BWP is going to have to score a hat-trick per game (and Henry is going to have to chip in as well) if we're to have any chance of wining games with this Keystone Cops defense.
Please click on the video on top for the usual drunken comments/predictions. Highlights above. Second half and post-match comments below. Please click here for my photo album (slide show here). Please click here for Matt Kremkau's photos (slide show here).
Despite the loss, it was a fantastic time @The Cathedral of Football. The 23,000+ RBNY fans in attendance never lost hope and were loud til the end. Someone said to me that it sounded like the "Santiago Barnabeu" as Real pressed Barcelona. I don't know if I would go that far, but the place was way loud.
Alrighty then! You're welcome Chicago Fire fans. Your season starts now. For us RBNY fans, it's time to put this one behind us and get some points next week @Toronto. I hope to see you all in a couple of week @The Cathedral of Football (Red Bull Arena, built by Makita) for RBNY vs Portland. The big viper is outtahere!
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