They were several men down due to injury but the New York Red Bulls held their heads up high after securing a 0-0 draw against Columbus Crew in the MLS American soccer tournament.
“It’s a massive result to have a second clean sheet. I’m really, really impressed and proud too to see these players show this kind of performance,” said head coach Hans Backe after the game.
The tie at the Columbus Crew Stadium in Ohio was certainly a relief for the team, who lost a host of key players to international team commitments. Star signing and team captain Thierry Henry was also absent due to a hamstring strain while goalkeeper Greg Sutton also sat out the game due to injury. To add to the blow, back-up goalkeeper Bouna Coundoul was also called away to play for his national team, Senegal.
Alex Horwath, however, took up the gauntlet, playing in goal for the match and helping the team to walk away with a confidence-building result despite the odds. It was the international debut for the new signing who spent 2010 with the San Jose Earthquakes and Seattle Sounders.
The team has four points after two games so far in the 2011 MLS Eastern Conference and is currently fourth in the standings. The New York Red Bulls return home to battle Eastern Conference rivals the Houston Dynamos at the Red Bull Arena on 2 April.
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