Sandro Schwarz’s New York Red Bulls find themselves atop the Major League Soccer Supporter’s Shield standings this morning.
They went into a rowdy TQL Stadium and went down 1-0 early to FC Cincinnati, but came back with two goals to win a big road game.
Dante Vanzeir played a part in both Red Bulls goals, setting up the first by former Cincinnati player Frankie Amaya, and then scoring the winner.
Schwarz was happy with the three points but perhaps more happy with how they won:
“It’s more important that we have this performance and that we have also have confidence. We were also dominant in an away game in Cincinnati, against a top team and against a top coach. … It’s good to get these results, but it’s only seven games into the regular season.” (MLS)
Cincy’s loss dropped them all the way down to seventh-place in the current Supporter’s Shield standings.
Messi Returns for Miami
There were twelve other games in MLS on Saturday, including Inter Miami hosting the Colorado Rapids, which featured the return from injury of Lionel Messi.
Messi scored a sublime post-to-post goal and set up another, but it wasn’t enough to ensure all three points, as Gerardo Martino’s side conceded a late equalizer.
Martino bemoaned the fact that his side were not able to take full advantage of Messi’s return:
“It’s the usual from Leo, what he provokes in our team, in his teammates, in people. And the most important thing is that he felt comfortable, he felt good, he felt loose… That’s why it’s a shame to drop two points. But I think we keep making mistakes that are making us lose points along the way.”
Somehow the Herons still sit fourth overall after eight games.