HARRISON, N.J. – The New York Red Bulls had a mission to accomplish on Sunday night at Red Bull Arena, but that was only one part of a Supporters’ Shield love triangle.
To capture a third regular season championship in six seasons, first-year head coach Chris Armas and his team needed Toronto FC – who after finishing with a record-breaking 69 points last campaign will miss this year’s postseason – to steal two or three points from Atlanta United at BMO Field in Toronto.
The league’s shiny new club from the Southeast, with a free-spending owner, a sparkling stadium, an esteemed Argentine manager and marquee players, entered Sunday with the best road record in MLS: 10-4-2.