SMI SPORTS / July 01, 2015

New Jersey (SMI-WIRE,07.01.15) The 2015 New York Soccer Derby Crown belongs to the New York Red Bulls after defeatingback to back  NYC F.C 3-1 in a MLS play over the weekend  & the undefeated New York Cosmos 4-1 in the U.S. Open Cup in front of 11,500 fans that gather to witness this anticipated colossal soccer match between two New York local rivals @ Red Bulls Arena, Harrison NJ.

This was the second match between these two teams in the history of the U.S. Open Cup, where The New York Red Bulls visited the NY Cosmos in the first match and were eliminated by losing 3-0 in the U.S. Open Cup 2014. “I’m real happy to get the results against these teams and prove we are the best team in New York.’’.said after the game Mike Grella, who scored in the 90th minute of the game.The NY Red Bulls jumped in front in the 5th  minute of the game, when Lloyd Sam crossed a perfect pass  to Sal Zizzo who headed home stunning the New York Cosmos defensive-line and taking at  1-0 lead.

The Cosmos answered back In the 16th minute when Walter Restrepo  cut inside of the Red Bulls defense kicking  a deflection pqss to Leo Fernandes,who was able to find Lucky Mkosana inside the 18 scoring the equalizer at one.. Mkosana calmly scored wth a solid shot sending the  ball over the outstretched arms of Red Bulls goalkeeper Luis Robles to tied the game at one.The Red Bulls kept pressing the rest of the first half till Anatole Abang, headed home a corner from Sacha Kljestan in the 42nd minute sending both teams to the lockerrooms with a Red Bulls  lead of 2-1.

The Cosmos sent legendary International Spaniard Striker , Raúl  to start the second half to reinforce the offensive attack and it did not take long for the  Spaniard to made his presence felt as he came agonizingly close to scoring the equalizer, narrowly missing a cross from Fernandes with an open goal net.A high energy and physical game during the entire game , when in the 54th minute Cosmos defender Hunter Gorskie was called for an awkward tackle on Chris Duvall in the box and penalty foul was called.Red Bulls' Kljestan was called on to take the spot kick sending Cosmos' goalkeeper Maurer diving the wrong way to give the Red Bulls a 3-1 lead.As the match drew to a close, NY Red Bulls Mike Grella put the game out of reach with a bit of individual brilliance. The winger sent Gorskie the wrong way with a slick dribbling move before slamming his low effort off the far post and into the back of the net.

“We’ve shown this year that we’re a good team and we still deserve to be treated like the premier club in New York City,’’ . That has meant a lot to us and we have taken a lot of pride in stepping on the field and showing that.”coach Jesse Marsch said after the game.

With the Win, the New York Red Bulls took a 3-0 lead over the New York Local teams in 2015and will face Phladelphia in three weeks for the 2015 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Quater-finals .