Soccer
video

Red Bulls score fastest goal in MLS history

The fastest goal in MLS history set up arguably the biggest game in Red Bulls history.

Tim Cahill scored just eight seconds into the Red Bulls’ 3-0 win Sunday in Houston, a league record. The result in the regular-season’s penultimate game vaulted the visitors atop the Supporters’ Shield standings, and put them in position to clinch their first-ever meaningful trophy with a win in next Sunday’s finale vs. Chicago.

“We control our own destiny. If we want to win it, it’s up to us. If we want to throw it away, we’ve only got ourselves to blame,’’ Cahill said in a postgame television interview.

“We’ve got a lot of leaders in this team, and the main thing is we stick together. I’m proud of the boss and the fans and all the staff and the players. [But] the job’s not done. It’s a fantastic win today, but next week’s going to be a pivotal moment in New York Red Bulls history.’’

In that long maddening history – one that began as the MetroStars in MLS’ inaugural 1996 campaign – the Red Bulls have never won a meaningful title. They lost the MLS Cup final to Columbus in 2008, and lost the U.S. Open Cup final to Chicago 10 years ago at Giants Stadium. Next Sunday, against those same Fire, they get a chance to put some hardware in that dusty trophy case.

And it was Cahill that helped put them in this position.

He took down a long 40-yard ball from midfielder Dax McCarty, knocked it down and then, after patiently letting the ball fall, ripped a vicious volley for the quickest tally in MLS history.

“It was set up the way we do in training, and it paid off; let me bring the ball down and it sat nicely and put it away from the goalkeeper in the goal,’’ said Cahill. “It’s nice when you come away especially in such a big game and you get an early lead. But to get it that early was pretty special.’’

Especially in a place they had never won … that is, until this year. After being winless in their history in Houston, they rolled to a 4-1 rout there on Sept. 8, and then followed up with an encore Sunday with even more on the line.

“For us, we’ve progressed every week through the months, and progression is what we’re working on: Being consistent and disciplined in this league. We’ve proved this year we’re taking a game at a time,’’ said Cahill. “Coming into places like this we feel comfortable. It’s a great arena to play in with some fantastic fans, and it’s all about embracing it and enjoying the moment and that’s what we’re doing.’’

Centerback Ibrahim Sekagya – thrust into action because of injuries on the back line – and Bradley Wright-Phillips followed with goals, but keeper Luis Robles and the shorthanded defense kept a clean sheet. Left back David Carney suffered an injury while playing for Australia, so right back Brandon Barklage had to switch sides and centerback Markus Holgersson played on the right.

No matter. Cahill’s quick strike floored Houston, and the defense finished the job.

“That was so important,’’ said Sekagya. “I think that’s the goal which made the game, because it was so quick and I think the team [was stunned]. We killed them.’’

And with a league-best 56 points – one ahead of Sporting KC, two ahead of Portland and three more than Real Salt Lake – the Red Bulls can put their first-ever trophy in the bag in a week.