After a frustrating first two weeks in which encouraging performances were dampened by fitness issues and isolated mistakes, the New York Red Bulls finally put a complete game together and outclassed the Chicago Fire for a 2-0 final score. Cristian Casseres put away a Fabio pullback cross to put New York ahead almost immediately after halftime, with a characteristic Caden Clark volley putting the finishing touch on a game where the Red Bulls dominated.
The opening half saw both teams create openings but lacking sharpness in the final third. The midfield battle was often choppy, with Chicago’s tall side attempting to bully New York’s young midfield, with the typically-genteel Sean Davis earning a yellow for a late clattering as the Red Bulls attempted to match the energy.