If you thought the Red Bulls’ season-opening collapse last weekend was bad, get a load of this one, a 2-1 come-from-ahead loss at San Jose, a game in which Roy Miller solidified his position as a goat in Metro fans’ eyes. And we don’t mean Greatest Of All Time.
Leading for most of the game on a goal by newcomer Eric Alexander, they coughed up an equalizer. Sam Cronin crossed the ball in and Miller let Adam Jahn slip by him for the goal. Then Miller committed a careless handball in the box to concede a penalty. Keeper Luis Robles made a stellar save, but the Costa Rican left back was guilty of encroachment to give Chris Wondolowski another try, and he buried it to keep Mike Petke looking for his first win.
Here is reaction from both sides, with Red Bull quotes in bold.
NEW YORK RED BULLS HEAD COACH MIKE PETKE
Overall thoughts:
“We seem to like to sit back when we have the lead. I don’t know if it’s a natural thing or if it’s something this team needs to work on. I may have to watch more closely during other MLS games this season. We’ve taken the lead two times on the road, and have given up goals late. Last season it was giving up goals early, now it’s late.”
On reaction to San Jose’s subs:
“For some reason we didn’t have guys who wanted to possess the ball tonight. We didn’t learn from our penalty kick mishap either. Credit to San Jose as well. They have many injuries and Frank Yallop continues to put together a squad that does great.”
On whether fatigue is an issue:
“No, I don’t think it’s an issue at all. We have to really go over the game tape again. We have players that should make possession their game. If we refuse to be a possession team, then I’m going to bring on guys who will hammer the ball down field.”
On road trip woes:
“I’m happy with the way the guys pressed tonight, but of course I’m not happy with the result. This is a result business and we’re not winning in the 80th minute and that’s what we’ll work on. But I am happy with the guys overall.”
NEW YORK RED BULLS MIDFIELDER ERIC ALEXANDER:
Thoughts on goal:
“[Thierry] Henry played a really good ball across to my direction and everything just came together after San Jose got a flick on the ball. I just happened to be in the right place to take my shot.”
On being in New York:
“It’s a different playing style with our firepower up front. It takes pressure off other guys because the focus is on our marquee names. I just like to create my chances by sneaking in through the back post.”
Thoughts on keeping Wondolowski in check:
“It’s good. But if you know the Earthquakes, they always find ways to come back in the final 10 minutes. It’s pretty much their thing and we should have known that and probably expected it.”
NEW YORK RED BULLS FORWARD THIERRY HENRY:
What can be taken from this game:
“That’s just how this sport goes. We just need to work on it and come back stronger.”
On personal performance:
“Overall we lost, what else should I say about it?”
SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES FRANK YALLOP
On the game:
“The team showed a lot of heart tonight. I was impressed with our grit and our fight. It wasn’t an easy game but I am very happy with the group tonight. It was a great win, but it’s only one so we have to move forward and get ready for the next one.”
On Adam Jahn:
“I am very happy for him. He not only scored a great goal but he created the penalty with a header that was going in if it didn’t hit a hand. Hopefully the goal will give him even more confidence going forward. We like to play with a target man and tonight he did a great job in that role.”
On subs:
“The three subs we put on made a big impact on the game. Cordell [Cato] and Sam [Garza] were dangerous with the ball and kept New York off balance, and obviously Adam [Jahn] came through with the big goal.”
On the team’s attack:
“I wasn’t sure how we would play with the guys we had out, but overall, I thought we did enough to get something out of the game. We created a number of good chances and we moved the ball, especially in the first 60 minutes. It was a frustrating night, but there were some positives we can take out of it moving ahead to next week.”
SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES FORWARD ADAM JAHN
On first career MLS goal:
“It is hard to put it into words. Once the ball was crossed I saw New York’s back line move near post. I basically attacked back post as fast as I could to get as much on it as possible. Sam [Cronin] played a perfect ball in and I was able to finish. It was awesome, but the best part was it helped lead to our first win of the season. I couldn’t have drawn it up better.”
On playing time:
“It’s flattering to know that the coaching staff has enough confidence in me to plug me in during a critical time of the match. Obviously, they are the best coaching staff I’ve ever worked with and I did not want to let them down. As a rookie it means more to have their support. I am just happy I was able to come through tonight.”
EARTHQUAKES FORWARD CHRIS WONDOLOWSKI
On victory:
“Tonight was all about Adam Jahn; he was the man of the match. He subbed on and was the huge spark we’ve been looking for through these first two games. He is a great guy and I couldn’t be happier. Tonight, we were able to finish and we never panicked once we were behind. It feels good to get this first win under our belts after a disappointing result to open the season.”
On first goal of 2013:
“On my first penalty kick attempt, their goalkeeper [Luis Robles] got off his line early and made the save. Then the encroachment was called and I figured he would try to do the same during the second attempt. I tried to read him and I went the other way to score. I guessed right and we have the three points.”