New York Red Bull to MLS Cup 08

The New York Red Bull are living a charmed MLS postseason.  First they knock off 2-time defending champion Houston Dynamo and last night they went into the hostile confines of Rio Tinto in Salt Lake City and came out with a dramatic win.  They will now face the best team in the MLS in 2008, the Columbus Crew in the 2008 MLS Cup.

It was a high energy, physical match which saw the home side RSL come out firing right from the start.  New York weathered the opening 15 minute storm in which the raucus home crowd spurred Real Salt Lake on.   In the 28th minute it was a Red Bull counter that would shock Rio Tinto when Dave van den Bergh played a ball releasing John Wolyniec down the left side.  He ran into the box and slid a square ball across the 6 which RSL keeper Nick Rimando went down to get a hand on.  The soft rebound rolled straight into the path of the onrushing van den Bergh who easily slotted it into the net.

The shocking goal took the wind out of Real Salt Lake and the game went to halftime 0-0.  The 2nd half started much more slowly as New York were able to contain the home side.  The match picked up greatly in the last 30 minutes as RSL flew into the attack and New York tried to survive. 

It was an amazing last 25 minutes which saw RSL get chance after chance.  Two free kicks from with 25 yards were not cashed in upon and remarkably 3 shots would find the post after leaving New York goalkeeper Danny Cepero beaten.  The better team clearly did not win the match, but that's how the game of soccer goes.  New York were able to score a good goal and then absord pressure the rest of the match.  Alot of effort and some very fortunate luck and they are in the MLS Cup to face the Columbus Crew.