Everybody from fans to media to the MLS’ own website ripped the Red Bulls for not adding a difference-maker before the transfer window closed this week.
But Red Bulls’ sporting director Denis Hamlett countered by saying they already have two in Bradley Wright-Phillips and Sacha Kljestan, insisting they’re already a contender. And they looked the part in Saturday’s 3-1 win over Orlando City SC before a sellout crowd of 25,219.
The Red Bulls (12-8-2, 38 points) spotted Orlando the lead on Carlos Rivas’ 18th minute tally, but equalized on an own goal a dozen minutes later. Wright-Phillips made the difference with his 60th minute winner, and Sean Davis curled in a beautiful score from 22 yards out for the icing on a sweet victory.